Valentin Carron/Steven Parrino
dal 9/2/2002 al 24/3/2002
Segnalato da
Centre d'Art Contemporain Kunsthalle
9/2/2002
Valentin Carron/Steven Parrino
Fri Art - Kunsthalle Fribourg, Fribourg
Carron examines the qualitative and decorative values ascribed to the objects that surround us, viewing them as symptoms of our cultural system. Many of his works refer to rural or alpine popular culture, in terms of production, user value and symbolic meaning. Parrino has been showing his work since the early 80s, when he was linked to the emerging punk rock scene in Lower Manhattan. He injects art with elements of popular culture, both more "low brow" and more lively, along the same lines as other artists of his generation
Valentin Carron, born in 1977, lives and works in Fully and Geneva. He investigates objects, design and the uses that arise from them.
"The Valais, where I come from, is an alpine region often decribed in very romantic terms, as being natural and almost wild. A country with strong traditions. As a matter of fact, these traditions very invented at the end of the last century". (V.C., 2000)
"Valentin Carron bears witness to the ways in which culture constitutes itself in the age of mass consumerism. He examines the qualitative and decorative values ascribed to the objects that surround us, viewing them as symptoms of our cultural system. Many of his works refer to rural or alpine popular culture, in terms of production (hand-crafted, industrial), user value and symbolic meaning. Yet, though he often refers to popular culture, his works have more to do with the industrial period and its corollaries. As Huyghe stressed, the industrial revolution undermined linear history and progress". (J.F., catalogue of the Federal Arts Awards 2001)
For Fri-Art, Valentin Carron presents a trompe l'il reproduction of a classic basic modern sculpture, placing it in an urban environment by using the impact of primary colours.
The installation, Sweet Revolution, 2002, alludes to an idea that is much discussed currently, of again dealing with extremely basic things and forms: this is also a magnificent way to kill bide one's time.
New York artist Steven Parrino has been showing his work since the early 80s, when he was linked to the emerging punk rock scene in Lower Manhattan. He injects art with elements of popular culture, both more "low brow" and more lively, along the same lines as other artists of his generation such as Mike Kelley or Raymond Pettibon.
"Parrino is a child of television, of cartoons, cop shows and idiotic comedy - everything from the Roadrunner to the Three Stooges, with all its sophomoric, exaggerated violence - and of the commercials between program". "By the mid80s, these artists were no longer simply consumers of pop culture and pop music, but in having learned the lessons of both, were able to produce their own hybrid "look" and "sound". It's no coincidence that when their work was brought together at that time it was for a show called "Infotainment", the word which was invented to locate the space between information and entertainment." (Robert Nickas)
In view of the work he has done until now, one could also say that Steven Parrino is an obstinate, a stubborn artist. Within specific parameters he has invented a practice that continuously interprets itelf.
One of his recent works "Exit / Dark Matter", will be presented in Fri-Art.
Although Parrino has recycled cartoon iconography since the start of his career, "Exit / Dark Matter" is his first large-scale project making use of cartoon codes.
It consists of two series: "Exit", pure cartoon-style drawings, juxtaposed with "Dark Matter", featuring drawings of a disconcerting abstraction. Both series are in small format, in compliance with the comic book universe.
A book with reproductions of his drawings "Exit / Dark Matter" has now been published by JRP Editions in Geneva, with whom we cooperated to organise this exhibition.
Steven Parrino's website : www.teamgal.com
Every Thursday during the exhibition, Sushi in La Cuisine.
Reservations until Wednesday evening : 026 323 23 51
Thursday March 14 at 8 pm : Guided tour of the exhibition with Michel Ritter, Director of Fri-Art.
Sunday March 24 at 2.30 pm : Creative workshop for children >Pacplanet for Kids<
Next exhibition
Extra Muros, Rue des Pilettes, TPF garage, 100 m from the Rex cinemas
Shirin Neshat "Soliloquy", 1999, projection onto double screen
Screening: March 10 through 24 2002, Tues.-Sun., 3 - 9 pm
Part of the Festival International de Films de Fribourg, Opening: Saturday, March 9 at 4 pm
Architecture of Emergency. Shigeru Ban - Samuel Mockbee - Michael Rakowitz
April 7 through May 26. Opening: Saturday, April 6 at 5 pm
Fri-Art Centre d'Art Contemporain Kunsthalle
Petites-Rames 22 Case postale 354 CH 1701 Fribourg