The Language of Art
Pierrette Bloch, Installation at Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris
I visited many galleries in Paris after 4 weeks of french language school in the south of France. Some artworks really stood out. Pierrette Bloch’s work was one of them. Her simplicity of the dot and line on paper, the placement of the artworks for installations, and the spareness of the medium of black ink or crayon created a poetic rhythm. I loved how each mark was unique with it’s own personality.
Pierrette Bloch artwork at Galerie Karsten Greve, Paris
After visiting many galleries in the Marais and the Pompidou, I realized I was attracted to the use of collage in painting. Surprisingly to me, this was a common theme that stood out to me in many artworks that I saw from our history of art to the current day. Adrian Ghenie's “Jungles in Paris” exhibition at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac was spectacular. His narrative works had a futuristic, yet historic quality. There was a juxtaposition between lushness and toxicity in his work. After seeing his large paintings, I took a closer look at his small works on paper in which one could understand the process of his work. In the computer, he made collages with many elements and textures in which he created these large "landscapes".
Adrian Ghenie - installation at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac
Adrian Ghenie's “Jungles in Paris” exhibition at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac - small collage
At the Pompidou, from the turn of the century to the work of today, I noticed so many artists that utilized the idea of collage in their paintings. I started to think about all of the dots in Block’s work being elements of collage, just as the paintings below from Braque, Hantaï, Léger, Kandinsky and Delaunay.
I am finishing up my apartment and studio space now, and have started contemplating my next body of work. I have these things in mind, as well as the most beautiful view outside my studio half way in the clouds at the base of the alps in Norther Provence. Photos of my studio space and work to come...
Morning view from my studio space.
Warmly,
Karen