As a connoisseur of art with a penchant for the unusual and grotesque, I found myself utterly captivated by the exhibition, “L’or mord l’os (gold bites bone)” at cadet capela in Paris. The works of Christian Rex van Minnen and Ken Sortais, both bound by their fascination with the unsightly, were a mesmerizing blend of beauty and horror that sent chills down my spine.
In the exhibit titled “L’or mord l’os (gold bites bone)“, the displayed works straddle the line between beauty and the macabre, showcased at cadet capela in Paris. This dual exhibition features the artistry of Christian Rex van Minnen and Ken Sortais, united by their fascination with the unattractive aspects of life. By integrating traditional methods into modern art, these artists create a compelling visual narrative of (seemingly) inhuman figures.
In a style reminiscent of the Dutch Baroque period, van Minnen’s artwork portrays his subjects with an unsettling level of realistic detail. Using glossy finishes and exaggerated flesh textures, this American artist ventures beyond the norms of bodily metamorphosis. The photographic-like quality of his pieces evokes a sense of the eerie or strange, causing a shiver to run down one’s entire body.
In a unique blend, Sortais connects organic with mechanical elements. By molding latex sculptures from vehicle remnants, this French artist stirs an eerie sensuality similar to J. G. Ballard’s “Crash”. Here, machines and human bodies merge into cyborg-like figures. Each statue is dusted in muted taupes and grays, evoking the excavation of a future civilization.
According to Sortais, we distort our subjects so much that they can become almost unrecognizable, transforming them into something new. There is always conflict within the work, and viewers often find themselves both drawn to and repelled by the shapes we create. In the lead role of “Gold Bites Bone,” a story about transformation, beauty and monstrosity unfold simultaneously.
The exhibition is now on view at cadet capela in Paris through October 5, 2024.
cadet capela
13 rue Béranger,
75003 Paris
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2024-09-06 17:56