For our Weekend Picks ARTINFO spotlights a solo exhibition by an artist and they in turn recommend a list of exhibitions in the same city as their show. This week we set our sights on Paris with a dispatch from the Brooklyn-based artist Ken Weaver, whose latest exhibition at g-module continues through October 28.

PARIS—In “Tableaux Vivants,” his second exhibition at g-module in Paris, Brooklyn-based artist Ken Weaver presents symmetrical explorations into an excessive world of theatrics and paranoia (much like our current state of global affairs). Borrowing from the visual language of high baroque art and architecture, as well as classical opera, he creates what he calls "ulteriors," scenes that merge inside and outside spaces in one obsessive work, such as "Ad Perpetuam Memoriam (From the Perpetual Remembrance)" (2007), in which he relocates the base of a still-incomplete Eiffel Tower in a baroque cupola.

The show also introduces a new character, an avenging angel that can be seen as a messenger of rescue and alludes to both The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the ancient Greek marble depicting Nike, and Wim Wenderss Wings of Desire. An operatic sound component featuring samples of John Cages Europeras and Tony Conrads Joan of Arc completes the overall experience of excessive ornamentation.

Weaver’s recent exhibitions include “New History” (2007) at the Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Gallery at Hunter College in New York, "Royally Fucked!" (2006) at Schroeder Romero in New York, “Supersonic Satan” (2005) at Galerie Exprmntl in Toulouse, France, and “Me Myself and I” (2004) at the Schmidt Center Gallery in Boca Raton, Fla.

Below is his letter to ARTINFO from Paris.

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Dear ARTINFO,
Here is my quick guide to art sightseeing this weekend in Paris. The following is not in any particular order of preference…

The Louvre! Ok, I lied [about that no particular order of preference thing]. The Louvre is Numero Uno! Your one-stop shop for the most awe-inspiring treasure trove of all things magnificent and mind-blowing, hands down. It’s a no-brainer to start here and, well, to end here. Bring some Advil and keep your espresso on IV drip, since you’ll never ever get to see it all, but my top pick for a visit is Salle 4, the Richelieu Wing, with the paintings of the Ecole du Nord by those Godfathers of Soul Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden: Stand before Van Eyck’s Chancelier Rolin and behold the greatest painting ever made.

For contemporary art, you’ll have to hop the Metro to the third arrondissement, in the Marais, or as I call it, “Le Chelsea on the Seine.” There’s been an explosion of new art galleries here, and Paris is becoming more and more the hip scene to rival New York, Los Angeles, London, and Berlin. Be sure to check out Galerie Almine Rech, now showing artist Gregor Hildebrandts “Zum Wohl der Tränen” (through October 11): epic paintings/constructions built of and/or based on the cassette tape. Very Pop Minimal. Especially cool is the Joy Division painting in the back office.

Also in the Marais:

Galerie Frank Elbaz has a fun group show, “Deaf 2,” with a record-playing skull piece by Bjorn Copeland and David Byrnes "Family Tree" drawing (through October 13);

Galerie Jean-Luc & Takako Richard is showing the spatially spaced out landscape paintings of Alice Stepanek & Steven Maslin (through September 29);

and the “How Did They Get That Sculpture Into the Galerie?” award goes to Galerie Polaris, now showing Odile Decqs back-in-black balancing extravaganza (through September 25).

Lastly, check out The Collection, a design store on Rue Poitou, for very, very exciting ideas for wallpaper, silk-screening, and home décor—but beware of the sticker shock. When I asked how much a cardboard thingamajig to glue onto your wall was, my jaw dropped to the beautifully polished and lacquered floor! Best to go in and steal ideas guilt-free, since if you’re the least bit creative you can reproduce any of it with a minimum of effort.

All the best,

Ken Weaver

… and check out my show at g-module!