Les Sept Périls Spectraux at Arnaud Deschin

Artists: Nils Alix-Tabeling, Aline Bouvy, Remy Brière, Michael Debatty, Emeline Depas, Thomas Depas, Julia Kremer, Jonas Locht, Xavier Mary, neither, Justine Ponthieux, George Rippon

Exhibition title: Les Sept Périls Spectraux

Curated by: Emeline Depas

Venue: Arnaud Deschin, Paris, France

Date: January 7 – February 7, 2017

Photography: Romain Darnaud, images copyright and courtesy of the artists and Arnaud Deschin, Paris

She must be around 18. Her name is Casha. The baby, not yet walking, is eating crisps. In front of me in the train Warsaw-Vienne. The guy in front of me, Polish as well, started to speak right away as well about clubs next to Gare du nord in Brussels, where he works on construction sites… Sunny frisk November day, 7 hours train as a romantic old fashioned way of traveling. They left the cabin and came back. He is divorced with two kids, he showed me photos with his ex wife. He is going back to the village. His car is in Belgium, a black Audi i saw in photos with his tattoos on his breast, symbols of success and sexyness. He is cute. Young. You can feel cosyness in this cabin with them and one other girl who does not speak as she must feel ashamed of a possible closeness with unexpected encounters, random people. She speaks to give me wifi and i realize she just doesn’t want any contact with the others, who she must see as lower class. The young mother has a beautiful voice, elegant, dressed in black. The baby just made a mess with another pack of crisps that was next to my seat. He is sitting on the floor trying to eat them. Now strolling around with the mother who seems happy as much as the baby, both warm people. Looking through the window i think about contraception and abortion. The land is flat. Small trees. I type with one finger on my phone. Thinking about that photo i want to make of Jean-Pierre pissing on a car at night with the flash. A naked woman riding the bronze crocodile in Botanical garden would be too political maybe? Emeline could also just sit inside the car at night. A kind of Vogue magazine reportage flash night, colors, characters questioning belonging and possession of private spaces and people. This guy in front of me should be part of the shoot. He wears a green Adidas jacket with jeans perfect short hair shaped in the back. He just asked the name to the other girl i understood replied Sandra. She doesn’t want anything to do with a too young mother and a construction worker. The Guy just made a sign to Casha to go back to toilet but i don’t know if he mimicked blow job or cigarette. She puts lipstick on. He tries to sleep. The baby is learning English with the phone repeating ‘Hello, how are you?’ Then record her own voice repeat and laugh to finally switch to heavy techno. This pink pullover makes me look fat in association with that wool leather brown skirt. The grey leggings are ok with the boots and skirt, still the top ruins the ensemble. If i put lipstick they will think i want to have sex. Or that i am an old wicked lady. The baby is dressed in pink like my lipstick, that is very comforting, soft pink named rouge pure couture. I put it on and feel already so full of reassuring intimacy in this cosy warm cabin full of sun and beautiful people. I have to pee. I realize i am with the sexiest people of the train… Even if i ate lots of cakes in Warsaw and have my menstruation, i think about sex when i close my eyes. The guy is asleep. The baby as well. Sandra as well; can’t see Casha making photos of her pack of crisps. First stop: a city of houses and blocs, no one would choose to live here if you are not from here and still half of Polish population believe they have a problem with foreigners. Police in the train. Police is back. Two young guys.

–Sonia Dermience

neither (extract), Tutte le stelle già de l’altro polo vedea la notte e’l nostro tanto basso, che non surgea fuor de marin solo., Pensando a Enzo Maiorca
2016, Sound, 49’55”

Aline Bouvy, Metaphors? I’ve worn them all, 2016, Jesmonite, fiberglass, natural wax

Aline Bouvy, Metaphors? I’ve worn them all, 2016 (detail), Jesmonite, fiberglass, natural wax

Remy Briere, L’oeuf et le philosophe, 2016, Honey and coal silkscreen

Remy Briere, L’oeuf et le philosophe, 2016 (detail), Honey and coal silkscreen

Nils Alix-Tabeling, GETA, Through Veins Runs Syrup, 2016, Wax, steel chains, garlic in resin, Liège syrup, glass, oak, wood, acrylic nail extensions, varnish

Nils Alix-Tabeling, GETA, Through Veins Runs Syrup, 2016 (detail), Wax, steel chains, garlic in resin, Liège syrup, glass, oak, wood, acrylic nail extensions, varnish

Jonas Locht, Pipe Drum, 2016, Styrofoam and drum accessories