28 Sep 2010

in October : Biennial Arts Le Havre 2010, from comics to contemporary art

ARTS : LE HAVRE 2010

FROM COMICS TO CONTEMPORARY ART

This third edition of the Biennial of Contemporary Art in Le Havre, to be held October 1 to 31, 2010, will endeavour to explore current relationships between comics and contemporary art.

Comics have long-since had their masters of the stroke and composition, of drawing and storytelling. One need only mention a few, such as George Herriman and his Krazy Kat, Frank O.King, with Gasoline Alley, and the wild visual narratives of Calvo or Franquin, whose art, apparently meant for children, was largely ignored in the annals of canonical history.

The counter-culture of the 1970s contributed to the comic book's future legitimacy. No longer instrumentalized, it gained autonomy. Authors such as Robert Crumb, Moebius, Philippe Druillet, and Enki Bilal freed themselves of conventions and initiated significant transitions: comics left behind their status as a 'genre' to become a 'medium,' like painting or sculpture.

The biennial of contemporary art in Le Havre is meant as a reflection, not of a transformation, but of this gradual progression.

To be presented are the works of Vaughn Bodé, Jochen Gerner, Ilan Manouch, Ruppert & Mulot, and the Atrabile collective,. . . works in tune with such artists as Jean Michel Alberola, Wim Delvoye, Christophe Blanc, Pauline Fondevilla, Francesc Ruiz.

A specific venue will be devoted to the 2nd edition of the Partouche Experimental Contemporary Film Award, where competing works will emphasize animation and graphical elements. Also, at various locations, workshops developed by artists in residency will enable members of the public to participate in the event.

The Biennial of Contemporary Art in Le Havre is produced by Groupe Partouche, one of the foremost financial partners on the French cultural scene.
Groupe Partouche is the primary financial backer of such major events as the biennials of contemporary art and dance in Lyon, the Festival d'art lyrique in Aix en Provence, the Antibes Jazz Festival, and many others.