New left-handed sketches
Pierre Courtin in collaboration with:
Vincent Barré
Baptiste Debombourg
Irena Eden & St Stijn Lernout
Damir Radovic
Adela Jusic
Clôde Coulpier & Séverine Gorlier
Sébastien Legal
Ibro Hasanovic
Lionel Sabatté
Alexandre Leger
Leila Cmajcanin
Aurélie Dubois
Portraits of collectors,
curators and a hand in cast
Assuming a productive artist breaks his right hand – what is he up to do or better what is he supposed to do in order to continue his work? What about looking for a title for such an unpredicted effort ? Sarajevo based drawer, video artists and curator Pierre Courtin, learned to cope with the situation the hard way: caused by an accident his conclusion is stated clearly by asking artist friends to help out.
The topic is given - the hand in gypsum/ cast - seen with the eyes of his friends and drawn or modeled by these. Considerable artists, among others the French artits Vincent barré and Baptiste Debombourg, created small works for Courtin. They show the right hand of the artist shut down by gypsum and refer with this "substitution act" on the unbroken innovative strength and the solidarity within the community. The "artist" Courtin withdraws himself in favor of the "curator" and generates further subtle inquiries towards a modern artist's self-conception. As he is as well putting the authorship in discussion - what is the portion of the artist; what kind of influence is the curator taking upon the artist and the work that has been developed in his name; last not least which value does the work obtain – he is asking for the meaning of the work as an original artistic statement.
The second part of the exhibition is a qualitative balancing act, where the initial idea counts more than the perfect technical execution. Since the early 60's the meaning of the artistic idea in the "oeuvre" has become more and more prominent in relation to the accurate craftsmanship.
Courtin dares to enter this unsecured/ uncertain terrain by drawing a collection of famous curators and collectors with his untrained left hand. The attraction results from the childlike desire "now more than ever" and the possibility to consciously resign from the otherwise important perfection in handling text marker and pencil - Courtin thus grants a refreshing and unseen view on these well-known faces. Perhaps one or the other may see him-/ herself differently than in an official "ideal portrait".
For us, the observers knowing these personalities from the media, it can though be very stimulating and may conjure a smile on our lips.
Markus Kersting
Work Presented:
"Tradition of Excellence IV"/ 40x50cm /mine de plomb sur papier Vinci
Markus Kersting & Emira Krupić are Directors of the K.U.K Galerie-Koln / Germany
