Apple has just expanded the metaphor for spaces and the self. Just like the 5th Avenue Apple Glass Box store redefined the idea of Apple in NYC, Apple's newly announced store under the Louvre glass pyramid in Paris redefines our idea of the cultural spaces and places in our postmodern tech times where the self is literally place-less online.
The Apple Store in NYC, right at the intersection of commerce and culture in the heart of Manhattan, can be juxtaposed with this new Paris Apple Store version located under I.M. Pei's glass pyramid at the intersection of history and culture and relevance at probably the most famous museum in the world. Nine million people, 40% of them tourists, will be confronted with this new idea of cultural relevance. Apple has pushed out Lalique in the retail space la-bas. Apple and Lalique... my two personal favorites.
When the Apple Store opened in the space underneath the big glass cube in front of the GM Building in May, 2008, I was there snapping away and capturing, digitally, the new form of architecture in our lives. Transparent and lived in alternate spaces. I love architecture and I loved the concept of the product and the space. Apple's move to Paris' Louvre Glass Pyramid? Awesome. I guess Dubai would be the next place for Apple?
While we're on our seats (and Apple stock closed at $189.43 today), waiting for the release of the new iPhone tomorrow (Mac hit a record 7.8% market share in May, 67 countries will offer the iPhone for sale before the end of the year. oops. make that 70 countries with Japan now on board), Apple's new announcement is a statement on the world's stage.
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