Jean-Luc Moulène: La Vigie (extrait 6)
August 26 – October 24 La Vigie (extrait 6) (2004–2011) is part of Jean-Luc Moulène’s photographic essay about a Princess tree ( Paulownia tomentosa ) that keeps sprouting in the cracked sidewalk across from the French Ministry for the Economy, Industry, and Employment in Paris. The Princess tree—the observer and the observed in this series—is known for its adaptability, fast growth, and invasive qualities; its ability to sprout prolifically from adventitious buds on stems and roots allows it to survive fire, cutting, and even bulldozing. It is this resilient tree that bears witness to the daily events that take place in this popular spot for public protests in front of the Ministry also referred to as “Bercy Fortress.” La Vigie (extrait 6) presents eight pairs of images from the entire series of 299 photographs that document the state of the tree (usually the early phases of the sprout, full of potential for change and long-term resistance—a recurrent theme in Moulène’s practice) as well as the view from the sprout’s perspective on a particular day during a seven year time span. collectorspace brings La Vigie (extrait 6) from the collection of the Kadist Art Foundation, based in Paris and San Francisco. Initiated by Vincent Worms in collaboration with Sandra Terdjman in 2001, Kadist has developed an international contemporary art collection that puts transparency and social engagement at the core of its mission. To these ends, Kadist makes the content of its collection public online, and closely works with artists through its residency and exhibition programs. Kadist employs the expertise of curators and art historians in developing the collection, challenging the familiar format of individual-centric private collections. It pays special attention to represent the art production from different regions of the world by selecting advisors who possess an in-depth understanding of a particular region on top of their global competence. With Kadist, collectorspace aims to present a reference point for a professionally-managed, mission-driven private initiative and its collection. Kadist Jean-Luc Moulène (b. 1955, Reims) studied aesthetics and the sciences of art at the Sorbonne University in Paris. His work has been shown at Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (2016); Villa Medici, Rome (2015); Kunstverein, Hannover (2015); Beirut Art Center (2013); Modern Art Oxford, Oxford (2012); Dia Art Foundation, New York (2011); Carré d’art – Musée d’art contemporain, Nîmes (2009); Culturgest, Lisbon (2007); Jeu de Paume and Musée du Louvre, Paris (2005). He has been featured in group exhibitions at Palais de Tokyo, Paris; François Pinault Foundation, Venice; CCA Wattis Institute, San Francisco; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Sharjah Biennial; Witte de With, Rotterdam; Venice Biennale; and Documenta 10, Kassel. The artist lives and works in Paris.