Some years ago I read a novel by Paul Auster in which one of the characters was an artist whose works were particularly distinctive and interesting. She was essentially a conceptual artist, so I didn't have to see the works to know that they were distinctive and interesting :-) Naturally, I assumed that the character was entirely a product of Mr Auster's imagination.
Some time later - it was a few months, maybe a year or two, when I was visiting an excellent exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery, I was more than a little astonished to see hanging on the wall one of the works described in the novel. It was clear from the date that the art work preceded the novel. A little research confirmed that the character had indeed been based on, or inspired by, Sophie Calle.
I do not pretend to be an art critic, so I shall say no more except to observe that, in my opinion, Ms Calle's work says some interesting things and asks some interesting questions about the ways people interact and the boundaries between fact and fiction. I mention her because I was thinking about her work today.
The picture has nothing to do with Sophie Calle. It's a bus shelter in Glasgow.
Let Glasgow Flourish
5 days ago
I confess that I have not heard of Paul Auster or Sophie Calle. However I have heard of Glasgow and Fitflop so I love the shot!
ReplyDeleteCalle - A really interesting artist! She has devoted a great deal of time (and effort) to exploring the idea of voyeurism and its implications. She followed a man (at random) to Venice and recorded his activities, had her mother hire a detective to follow her and document that experience, and most famously was employed as a maid at a hotel in Venice where she went through guests luggage, photographing the contents to build up a picture of their lives. Currently featured in the Exposed exhibition at Tate Modern. She is French!
ReplyDeleteLike Jon, I've heard of Glasgow but not the artist you mention. I must learn a little more. Calle sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love the shot!