Mardi 22 Mars 2016 10:35:28 par Louis Tardy dans Expositions

Love runs free in the streets of Paris

Is it Love or is it Sculpture ? The soft sculpture in Celeste Leeuwenburg’s Pink moves freely through the streets and boulevards of Paris, creating shapes as it undulates, transforming urban space through ephemeral site specificity.

Should these visions, made from the same gauze that binds our wounds, be perceived as the “vanity” of pink or as a meditation on peace and war, creating new meaning as it goes from place to place?

Leeuwenburg began this series during her residency at Cite de Arts in Paris in 2010.

At that time, Paris was jolie, a pleasing place, so Rose was equally jolie. But following the trage- dies of the past few years, Rose has acquired new meaning. Is it possible that Leeuwenburg anticipated the future? Art often has ways of predicting the future in a poetic manner. Here, Leeuwenburg touches upon serious subjects without becoming didactic—and her theme of conflict can be seen to be optimistic, in the way the pink gauze cleans and purifies as it flows through the streets bringing fresh ideas.

A few weeks ago, when I saw the pictures in progress again, it did me a lot of good, as I was saddened about Paris and depressed about the near future. Waves of Rose introduced a new optimism in my mind. While the solution for politicians is to bring more guns to the table, Leeuwenburg brings a wide flow of beauty, as a better means for resolving conflict and more effective way to heal and unite.

Her exhibition can be divided into two categories: (a) LOCATION as modified and divided and (b) the BODY as reference. Here the pink gauze is touched and embraced by a naked body. Are these images taken just before their entrance to the city an “accident” or are they a sensual device. This is but one personal interpretation as Leeuwenburg opens the gates to share her intimate world. David Lamelas 

©Celeste Leeuwenburg
"Parisienne" , Paris 2016.
Fine art pigment print.




©Celeste Leeuwenburg
Jardin des Tulleries, Paris 2015
Fine art pigment print.