Jean Bedez
dal 20/3/2007 al 27/4/2007
Segnalato da
20/3/2007
Jean Bedez
La Blanchisserie Galerie, Boulogne
Citizen Corps. Alternatively spectator and actor of history in the making, the artist questions the forms of representation of power, as well as the modes of expression used by political or electoral bodies. Drawings on view deal with the theme of the place and role of the citizen.
Citizen Corps
The work of young French artist Jean Bedez (born 1976, graduated Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris) addresses the dominant cultures of power, of games and of spectacle. His first solo exhibition, entitled Citizen Corps (March 21 - April 28 at La Blanchisserie gallery), presents an ensemble of works concerning the place and role of the citizen. Alternatively spectator and actor of history in the making, the artist questions the forms of representation of power, as well as the modes of expression used by political or electoral bodies.
Referencing Art History's treatment of historical scenes, the series Collection: Leaders (2007) represents members of the G8 at the Evian summit of 2003. The artist portrays the meeting of leaders of the world's most powerful countries in monumental drawings realized in lead pencil. Whether "staged" group settings (Collection: Leaders, drawing 01) or face to face representations (Collection: Leaders, drawing 02), the characters' heads disappear in favor of the "Marque Repère" logo, a symbol developed by an hypermarket chain. The logo, which takes the form of a target, is stamped upon members of the G8.
In echo to this series, the American and Iraqi flags formalized in the works American Dream and Iraqi Dream (2007) also point to the idea of the target, as Bedez has chose to replace the official representation of stars by Shuriken, Japanese blade weapons traditionally used in the martial arts.
In the Emerge series, the artist also decides to reduce the petroleum wars ruling our industrial economy to the state of a scale model. Oil platforms and military submarines appear in these installations as so many elements in a naval battle.
Finally, his Referendum piece (2007) refers to, in a paradoxal manner, the participative role of the citizen. Citizens are invited to take part in a decision making process by utilizing ballots that the artist has encased in glass. In case of extreme urgency, a double tipped hammer permits each of us to respond to his or her right to vote.
Beyond the political questions approached by Jean Bedez, the artist attempts, as expressed by Vincent Honoré, to analyze the interaction and similarities between the questions of power, games and spectacle. "The game becomes manipulation, spectacle is power and, in the end, power is a game."
La Blanchisserie Galerie
24, rue d'Aguesseau - Boulogne