The Iowa Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Miniature Prints

2004 Selections for Exhibition

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15-33  
   
  Athlon-Gamma [Installations in a Supermarket Series]
2003
Installation, Acrylic, Color Photograph
Laurent La Gamba
Residence: Monleon-Magnoac, France
Birthplace: Paris, France
 
   
Statement    
 

I have been working on camouflage for a few years. Procrypsis [Homochrome in French] refers to the phenomenon of environmental camouflage in animals and insects. Being able to reproduce camouflage via painting and applying it to a technically-changed, urban environment is where my interest resides.

As in nature where procrypsis depends on the background, each sitter’s portrait is totally dependant on—and adapted to—a specific topography [be it vegetation, architecture, specificity of the place, indoor or out] and shows that the human body can chromatically integrate urban environmental surroundings as animals integrate to their natural environment.

For the pro-cryptic installation in a supermarket series the aim was to play on the chromatic surge of a supermarket’s visual environment and to artificially merge the individual in to this scenery. Volunteers, who are people that “belong” to the chosen environment, wear a protective suit, which is then painted along with their face. Finally, a picture of the installation documents the process.

The final part of each installation is to photograph the painted person in their semi-natural setting. A protective suit is covered by several coats of paint, and the result is a photographic work of art. I purposely work with people that are not linked to the art world. As a photographer, I have carried out several pro-cryptic installations in different public spaces, shops, public libraries, and castles. My photographic work is not considered as the natural result of these installations, but the goal.

 

 
   
Bio    
 

Born in Paris and lives in France.

MA, Modern Literature, Sorbonne Nouvelle [Paris III], 1998

2004
"Camouflages” Photography Gallery, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio [Solo]
“Reserves” Galerie l’art en Stalles, Pouzac, France [Group]
“Supermarkets” The Cube [Cinema Miroplex], Bristol, England [Group]
“Voile/Devoile” Chateau de Linardie, France [Group]

 

 
   
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