Sex, Money, and Power
dal 15/1/2013 al 23/3/2013
Segnalato da
15/1/2013
Sex, Money, and Power
Maison Particuliere, Bruxelles
"We have asked at particular guests to participate with us in this exhibit for the perspectives they offer as collectors, artists, and literary agents, in an attempt to broach, beyond the present moment, the universality and timelessness of representations of sex, money, and power".
The three words: sex, money, power, taken together or separately, come across as highly banal, an inherent paradox in our era. Not a day goes by when we aren’t faced with the reality of these words. Yet, do we take time to ask questions?
Do we take time to assess? Do we take time to understand? Art is invariably in the forefront, interrogating us, assaulting us, troubling us… all for our own good.
Sex, Money, and Power: are these topics still considered taboo nowadays? They are eminently and constantly relevant: the power of sex; power and politics; money and power; sex and drugs; sex and violence; the weaker sex; rich sex; sex toys; the ecstasy of money; power and seduction; power and glory… Sex, Money, and Power: these three words come up again and again in the biggest scandals of History and of our time. All the while, they are a reality that hails from the origins of humankind. Whereas Sex hovers in the sphere of innate and archaic needs--sexual relations--money and power involve more intricate and sophisticated pleasures. We live in an era of dematerialized forms of money, in an era of outrageous powers, of blatant and unashamed sex. Such is the reality of our time, and no one is immune.
We have asked these particular guests to participate with us in this exhibit for the perspectives they offer as collectors, artists, and literary agents, in an attempt to broach, beyond the present moment, the universality and timelessness of representations of sex, money, and power.
All of the African statuaries lent by Mr. Marc Leo Felix illustrate to us the representations and relationships intertwined among these three words during pre-colonial time. Witnesses to the past, these ritual objects are the sole sources of information within our grasp. Mr. Felix deciphers them for us in a beautiful composition that accompanies the artifacts: manifestations of power intrinsic to any society; wealth, rather than money: an assurance of lineage as the essence of sex.
We are delighted that Estelle and Hervé Francès are participating for a second time in one of our exhibits. The triangle of “Sex, Money, and Power,” according to their definition, “completely dominates” the collection they have dedicated to “mankind and his excesses.” In their eyes, a topic of this nature basically encompasses “the desire to cast an open eye on things from which we most often cast away our eyes: oppression, authoritarianism, and corruption.”
Galila unveils the part of her collection dedicated to money, a topic of “intimate concern,” which she shares with us. What she finds fascinating, and which in turn fascinates us, about her approach and search for works linked to money, is the manner in which artists “through the use of ordinary banknotes, allude to the deep and existential problems of life.”
Alain Servais defined these three words as “the primary driving force behind human activity.” Also participating for the second time in an exhibit at Maison Particulière, he demonstrates once again how the obsessions of his collection include “works of art that evoke human instincts without casting judgment, accepting reality as is, pure and simple.”
We are very fortunate that Kendell Geers accepted our invitation. In a strongly worded, yet sensitive text, he explains the essence of his work as an artist, namely that “art is non negotiable.” With the bulk of his portfolio deeply anchored in the idea of transformation and symbols, the works he has selected to display tackle violence, apartheid, the body, icons. Beyond their immediate significance, these works raise questions that we do not ask, or no longer ask, revealing the secrets of our souls.
And what have we contributed? Through the theme we have selected, perhaps regarded as somewhat provocative, these three words force us to face a reality that we sometimes, or too often, refuse to see. Hypocrisy? Sex, Money, and Power are simply the essence of our lives, as are their counterparts, Love, Generosity, and Goodness.
Last but not least, our most sincere thanks go to Alain Mallart, who asked Marcel Croës to join him in what we consider a vital literary duo. We are deeply grateful for their superb research on the texts and quotations that illustrate several of the works on display, as well as the time they have devoted to our exhibition.
We also wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to all our guests for their invaluable perspectives as collectors. The feelings they convey through their choice of works have produced an intense exhibit, which questions and interrogates, and indeed makes us smile on occasion… but most of all, forces us to take the time to think and reflect.
Image: Kendell Geers, Twilight of the Idols (Fetish) 3, 2005 (detail)
Press contact:
France & International: Claudine Colin T. +33 1 42726001 F. +33 1 42725023 contact@claudinecolin.com
Albane Champey albane@claudinecolin.com
Opening: 16 January 2013
Maison Particuliere
Rue du Châtelain, 49 B - 1050 Brussels | Belgium
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: late opening until 7:30 p.m.
Closed on holidays
Contribution:
Non-members: 10€ (-18 years and students - 26 years free)