PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
JULIO
LE PARC
Bifurcations · Galerie Perrotin, Paris · December 2017
One of the final two exhibitions of 2017 at Perrotin in Paris was dedicated to recent and historic works of Julio Le Parc. Le Parc, 89 years old, is known for using projected, moving and reflected light in his works — creating wonderful optical illusions.
We visited Bifurcations early December 2017 and noticed a very young audience wandering the two floors occupied by works made by the pioneer in Op art and Kinetic art. Teens and young adults patiently waiting in a casual — not too obvious — queue in pursuit to capture one of Julio's kinetic pieces that are infinitely in motion.
Works like Formes en contorsion (1967) and 14 formes en contorsion sur fond blanc (1971) seemed made for this moment, yet were made decades before Instagram existed. The collision between then and now felt electric.
Casual. Totally orchestrated. click to join · everyone is doing it
"Does this give us reason to despise this new generation of gallery hoppers — or, rather, to appreciate the peculiar choreography of the orchestrated-casual pose?"
"Visitors find themselves in a room with patterns on the walls, ceiling and floor. Scattered around the space, suspended from the ceiling, are mirrors that give the illusion of floating mid-air — skewing the viewer's placement, almost causing instability whilst losing their way as they walk around to fully experience the installation."
Continuel lumière au plafond
In the second installation, visitors looked up to the ceiling. A large plexiglass panel inserted with a series of small mirrors. On both ends of the room, behind a hidden wall, a projected light shines onto the little mirrors — creating a glittering effect bouncing off the ceiling, onto the walls, and finally reaching the viewers inside the room.
It was, in every sense, made to be photographed — and made fifty years before anyone thought to photograph it for Instagram.
1966 / Julio Le Parc
The exhibition offers an array of works made over the past five decades — a great showcase for first timers to come in contact with Le Parc, even those whose highest priority is to elevate their personal brands on their Instagram feeds.
After all, if Julio has one desire, it is to experiment with our engagement and perception of art, to create works that are in constant flux and as vibrant today as they were at the time of their creation. A statement that still rings true today, in the Instagram age.
Look casual.
Pics or it didn't happen. 📸 click to document existence
Fatima el Malki is a digital wiz and art enthusiast currently based in Europe. She spends most of her free time visiting galleries and exhibitions and contributes art news to Antakly Projects — stay tuned.
Antakly Projects — originally Ninu Nina — has been archiving conversations and dispatches from the most inspiring voices in art, fashion, photography and culture since 2003.
And for the personal rants, opinions you didn't ask for, and the occasional existential spiral: follow me on Substack.
As vibrant today as at the time of their creation. ✦
