aixcentric

Much as I love art, the word ‘installation’ normally sets alarm bells off in my mind: unmade beds, heaps of bricks, tortured ironwork don’t do much for me I’m afraid. So I didn’t rush to see the expo ‘Babilary’ at the Pavillon de Vendome this summer but couldn’t turn down a visit with the artist last week – which had me converted.

Aicha Hamu is an intriguing Nice-based artist who works with all manner of materials. For her Aix show, she has recreated a traditional painting ‘boeuf écorcé’ – skinned beast – but in 3D,with masses of red leather and draped scarlet strips. I unwittingly stepped

This installation from the Picasso chapel in Vallauris has been recreated in Aix…sorry no photos allowed in Aix but this gives you an idea of its impact!

on entrails as I listened to her explain that she designed it originally for the Picasso chapel at Vallauris. Rather intimidated at first by the surroundings, she decided to fill the space with the remains of a bull-fight, a sort of tribute to Picasso’s passion. She told us that she sourced her leather in Florence and probably witnessed some of the grisly detail that lies behind the production of each chic handbag. Certainly it’s an ‘installation’ that provokes reaction and thought.

Throughout the historical building, she has created a work on the gallery’s theme this year: Penelope’s weaving while waiting for the return of Ulysses. She has found reproductions of works of art which show women sewing, les couseuses, attached them to the walls throughout and linked them with red thread: it’s a fascinating take on the links between women through the generations and across cultures. I loved it. Especially the inclusion of this painting from the

Picture from the Louvre showing a pregnant Gabrielle d’Estrees, future grandmother of the Duc de Vendome who built the Pavillon in Aix. Behind her, one of the couseuses.

Louvre. In fact it shows a pregnant Gabrielle d’Estrées with her sister…and just in the background one can see the maid sewing the layette for the baby. And that baby became the father of the Duc de Vendome who had the Pavillon built.

Details: The exhibition ends on Sunday 29^th, so speed is of the essence if you want to see it. I think that it might be worth going on Friday at 15:00 when there is a guided tour (please check with them that this is happening first); alternatively they have a laminated sheet in English at the desk which tries to elucidate the exhibits.  More details here; http://www.culture-13.fr/agenda/ulysses-carte-blanche-a-aicha-hamu.html