Info
- Dates: 18.10.23 – 11.02.24
- Curator: Clothilde Morette
- Where: MEP – Maison Européenne de la Photographie
- Price: 12 euros / 7 euros reduced
Step into the captivating world of Viviane Sassen, the distinguished Dutch photographer, through her first retrospective exhibition in France. This unique showcase seamlessly blends together photography, video, and installations in the beautiful spaces of the MEP. The visitor’s journey is methodically curated, with each room dedicated to specific themes or series of work, creating a well-structured and intriguing narrative.
The exhibition opens with the serie Lexicon. Originally presented at the 55th Venice Biennial in 2013, Lexicon serves as a compelling compilation, echoing iconic images from Sassen’s past series, Flamboya and Parasomnia. The artist herself describes this series as an unveiling of her artistic evolution.
My life is unimaginable without Africa. The light and the dark. The colours, the people. The first time I went back there was with my parents, ten years after we’d left. It was night. I lay in bed and heard the peacocks calling, and I cried in confusion.
– Viviane Sasson in an interview with Robbert Ammeriaan
Video installations are proposed in the exhibition, but one in particular stands out. Venus & Mercury (2020) is a sort of slideshow capturing Versailles through Sassen’s lens, revealing hidden corners and offering a new perspective of the famous historical site. The images flow smoothly in a dark room specifically conceived by the MEP, accompained by a transporting music and a voice that evokes a poem by Marjolijn van Heemstra. A truly immersive experience, to be contemplated in silence.
On the upper floor, recent works coexist with earlier creations, spanning from surrealism to fashion. The visitor’s path finishes in an immersive room, where mirrors cover the walls and projections of Viviane’s fashion shots stream everywhere.
The overall display ensures each work finds its spatial resonance. The MEP’s well-calibrated lighting and spatial dimensions contribute to elevating the overall viewer experience, making this retrospective an insightful and visually compelling exploration of Viviane Sassen’s artistic practice.
My personal highlights:
- Two friends (2010)
- Etan & Me (2014)
- Venus& Mercury (2020)
- Emmeline serie (2001)
MUSEmemoirs 