Einladung zur Vernissage am Donnerstag, 18.07. ab 19:00 Uhr
– in Anwesenheit des Künstlers
Invitation to the opening of the exhibition, 18/07/ at 7pm
– the artist is present
ANTOINE CORDET | „MARE IMBRIUM“
Einzelausstellung | Malerei & Plastik | Ausstellung bis 17.08.2019
Solo Exhibition | Painting | Exhibition until 17/08/2019
“A portrait is, above all, an image of a man or a woman reflecting their identity, look, strength,” says Antoine Cordet of his art which is dedicated exclusively to portraiture. The Latin roots of the word protrahere mean “to pull out” or “to bring into light”, to make the invisible visible. This is where the conflict is based. Namely the struggle to depict reality and to make the inner being visible.
In his paintings, Antoine Cordet seems to shroud the individuality of his portrait subjects. Despite the abstract gesture of overpainting which creates vitality, the figure appears partially frozen. Movements in body posture as well as emotional facial expressions are reduced to a minimum. Beyond that, the figure is mostly detached from its personally identifying surroundings with no personal belongings or interior or landscape. Sometimes it is not possible to determine if it’s a man or a woman, a boy or a girl. As a viewer, you feel touched by the bare intimacy which seems to be an invitation to devolve into the introverted state of the matter.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the genre of the portrait totally changed, reducing the importance of depicting reality in favour of the question of the image of the human being in our era. This includes various themes relating to individuality and thus the vulnerability and meaning of existence in the face of a relentlessly accelerating world in which the individual is losing importance on a daily basis. The 21st century will bring different aspects into the spotlight.
Text und Interview: Felicitas Kirgis