Artist Frank Perrin presents 7 of his films from the series Klash! L'art en acte, which reveals the secret history of independent, radical and wild artistic acts, in dialogue with our current social issues. Revealing a different kind of Art History, this collection of twenty three-minute films, broadcast on Arte, introduces us to contemporary art in a new light of uncompromising commitment.
The films presented:
- CHRISTO "LE RIDEAU DE FER" (THE IRON CURTAIN): On Wednesday 27 June 1962, in Paris, artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude set up an impenetrable barrier on rue Visconti using 89 petrol cans. With this poetic replica of the Berlin Wall, they began a passionate relationship with Paris.
- NIKI DE ST PHALLE "TIRS": On 12 February 1961, the very young artist Niki de Saint Phalle undertook an improbable rifle shoot on paintings filled with colours that exploded under the bullets. Armed with a 22 long rifle, she declared art liberated for women.
- ADEL ABDESSEMED "JE SUIS INNOCENT" (I AM INNOCENT): On Sunday 24 June 2012, the artist Adel Abdessemed is organising a never-before-seen shot of his body trapped in flames. This gesture takes us back to the protests by Tibetan monks, but also to the birth of the Arab Spring. With this act, the artist delivers the hottest of manifestos.
- DAVID HAMMONS "BLIZ-AARD BALL SALE": On 13 February 1983 in New York, artist David Hammons organised an unusual act: selling snowballs in the middle of a freezing winter. It was an act that made a mockery of the art market, but also showed his support for the underprivileged.
- CHRIS BURDEN "I BECAME A SECRET HIPPIE": On 3 October 1971, artist Chris Burden proposed a most secret action. A silver nail in the shape of a star was driven into his sternum, and he then donned a black secret agent's suit. With this act, the artist inaugurated the invisible subversive performance.
- JIMMIE DURHAM "XITLE & SPIRIT": In 2007 in Mexico City, artist Jimmie Durham undertook a radical act: flattening an American car with an enormous volcanic rock. With irreverence and poetry, he stages the clash between Mexican immemorial and American consumerism.
- GIANNI MOTTI "ROLAND-GARROS": On 4 June 2004, at Roland-Garros, the artist Gianni Motti undertook an astonishing action on centre court: watching the match with his head covered in a plastic bag. In doing so, he drew the attention of the world's media to America's brutal interventionism and denounced torture with the utmost fairness.
Penser le Présent is produced with the support of Société Générale.
Practical information
Free admission subject to availability
Listen to the podcast on J+7
Photo credit: © Madeleine Faburel
