Polly Morgan

My friend Emilie Gomez (see her article > here <) has always had a strong interest in taxidermy and during our time in art school she was always talking about taking classes to learn the technique. Could sound a bit strange but not if we look at it in a poetic way. The taxidermy as a solution  to animal extinction ? "I have spent my whole life trying to approch animals who tried to escape. The only way I can look at them quitely is when they are dead" says Polly Morgan, a british artist. 

Polly Morgan's work in itself is meticulous, dark and poetic. She stages small scenes of a robin lying on a prayer book, lovebirds looking at their reflection in mirrors, or a mouse suspended by a helium balloon. Why I really like her work is because it produces a mixture of repulsion and childish attraction. Animals rest in peace in a dollhouse decor under a bell jar. (like Mike Kelley Kandor see article > here <) 

During her first exhibition she was approached by artist Banksy who bought her her first artwork. Thanks to him, she participated to one of his exhibitions and left her waitressing job to devote herself  to her art. 

The Clock

Christian Marclay has created this 24 hours clock out of thousands movie exerpts tocking through seventy years of film history.

Here is a 3 minutes exerpt.

Elmgreen & Dragset - I Will Never See You Again

Three days ago I uploaded a photomontage on my tumblr page. This quote is not mine, it was written on an artwork I saw at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris and at the Venice Biennale in 2008 of Emlgreen and Dragset.

I found it interesting to write it in fireworks as a celebration of this words you never mean when you say it. A sweet but violent issuance of feelings. Anyway the scandinavian duo produces a very narrative and funny work and I found an interview in a french magazine which I'm going to translate here.

Who does what ? How do you divide your work ?

We are both very lazy, which is one of the reason of our collaboration. This helps us to divide the work but unfortunately we also share our payroll. That said, bureaucratic routine is supported by our manager and studio assistants. We are not "practical" people. We deliver ideas, concepts and basic sketches. After 15 years of working together, we kind of turned into a monster with two heads and one brain. Everyone knows what the other thinks.

Elmgreen, give us three adjectives to describe Dragset :

Quiet, gentle socially, creative.

Dragset, give us three adjectives to describe Emlgree : 

Obsessed, impatient very intelligent

How do you work in collaboration with other artists like Tim Etchells :

We love his sense of humor and the dialogue have been written in a merry flow. A ping-pong gam of emails in a short period.

Does derision amuse you ?

It can be a remarkable tool to say serious things slightly

You have a massive list of exhibitions and representation, do you ever pause ?

There are many more prolific artists...aha...whe produce exactly the number of projects that inspire us, no more no less.

Can you give us your definition of contemporary art ?

No.

With the disapperance of oil, what type of materials are you going to choose ?

Art is not a choice of materials. Moreovern the oil painting is still vert present. Painters are still considered the most important artists in the art market, just look at the auction. The medium in itslef is really not the priority today.

Will you get to carve the marble ?

Yes it is in our projects.

What passionates you the most in you work ?

The next project is always the most exciting.

What fascinates you ?

The constant change in our cultures. It's fascinating to wonder why people dream, wish, fear and behave as they do. Our art is more questions than answers.

Kelley's last journey to Kandor

Today the contemporary art world lost one of his most influential talent : Mike Kelley. An occasion to remember one of his masterpieces "Kandors". 

For you, non-Superman fans, Kandor is a Kryptonian city that has been shrunk and placed in a bell jar.

Kelley created replicas of Kandor using colorful handblown glass bottles and bell jars. I had the chance to see  some of them at the Punta Della Dogana when I lived in Venice and it concentrates all the imaginary ingredients I love in artworks. 

A bizarre and beautiful mix of science fiction, mudane, retro-futuristic, industrial and intimate. Some sources said that the cause of death was suicide but I prefer thinking he found his way to the birthplace of Superman, Kandor.

FIAC 2011

This post comes a bit late as we're going into Paris Photo this week (for the 1st time at the Grand Palais) but I've been working a lot and I'm very happy from what came out with my thesis and my project. Hoping that it will turn to reality in a close future, I entitled it "Visual Arts and Television : Digital Solutions". I hate myself of not have been able to start earlier and before presenting it a second time on december the 12th in front of my employers, I'll review some of the main points. 

The 2011 38th edition of the F.I.A.C was a huge success. Big sales (more than the Frieze), great artworks, dynamic galleries even if they were fewer comparing to past years (now that is organized only at the Grand Palais and not at the Cour Carré du Louvre). I wen't there twice, first on the opening where a queue of 500 person were waiting in front of the doors.  My dudddy Armelle got me a Vip art journalist pass so I could enjoy entering by the red carpet and drink champagne under the arches of the Grand Palais while meeting some teachers I had in art school and some students that became artists. This was really a place-to-be event and I have fostered social relationships rather than getting lost in the galleries. I went back two days after to take some pictures and looking for a cheap artwork I could offer me. I could'nt find something below 100 000 but I have the pictures !

Damien Hirst  - Humility

 

 

 

I start with a piece that impressed me and gave me the idea of the new blog's background. A kaleidoscope of butterflies' wings by Mr. Diamond Skull.

Barbara Kruger - Fear & Evil

Cindy Sherman - Untitled

Wim Delvoye - Chapelle 

Navid Nuur - Thank You

 

Sophie Calle - Prenez soin de vous

 

Andro Wekua - Should be titled

 

Diane Arbus - Albinos

   

I really want to see her exhibition at the Jeu de Paume.

Paola Pivi - Pearls

Franz West

Nicolas Moulin 

He was in my art school, I love his work.

Yves Klein - Blue meteorite

Michelangelo Pistoletto - Two less one

 

Marlène Dumas 

Kader Attia

Karl Lagarfeld - Roses

Gilbert & George - Damned Buddle

And other random works :

More artificial butterflies

Beaux-Arts Magazine - Anaïs

My friend Anaïs who works at Beaux-Arts Magazine was helding the stand. 

Le Bal Jaune - Fondation Ricard

For the closing of this wonderful week, a ball was held at the Palais de Chaillot in front of the Eiffel Tower. The Naive New Beaters and Dj Paraone were performing. It was the rendez-vous of the contemporary art's world "beautiful people" all wanted to be seen with their best profiles in black and gold. I chose a neo-Renaissance black robe with wide sleeves and I accessorized it with gold bracelets. I also had a vintage embroidered bag that went perfect with the whole outfit. 

This week I'm doing the opening of Paris Photo, and this time I'll try to do the champagne and the visit at the same time because I'm flying to Strasbourg on thursday for a 4 days non-stop party with my n°1 P.P.S.

X.