It’s often presumed that privacy is a myth in our technologically enmeshed world. Yet it’s a testament to the reverse that artist Sophie Calle, after more than 25 years of stealing strangers’ phone books (L’Homme au carnet), photographing hotel visitors’ underwear (L’Hôtel) and stalking strange men through Europe (Suite vénitienne), still manages to find uncomfortable aspects of the private—often in her own life—and expose them through art in unique and provocative ways.
Now the DHC/ART Foundation offers a peek at Calle’s latest with the North American premiere of “Prenez soin de vous,” a major exhibition that debuted to good reviews at last year’s Venice Biennale.
| |
|
“Prenez soin de vous” exhibition catalogue cover image / photo Jean-Baptiste Mondino |
Taking its title from a breakup email penned by Calle’s ex-boyfriend, “Prenez soin de vous” reflects the oft-morbid intensities of romantic obsession at the same time as it deconstructs power dynamics in sexual relationships. This dual effect is accomplished via Calle’s documentation of 107 women’s reactions to and analyses of that breakup email. The women Calle taps for feedback range across a variety of professional and life expertise, from actress Jeanne Moreau and musician Feist to a psychoanalyst and a cruciverbalist (a fan of crossword puzzles).
The result is a work that one man likely wishes had stayed in the dark—but which the rest of us should be thankful has come to light. (451 & 468 rue St-Jean, Montreal QC)
| |
|
Sophie Calle “Prenez soin de vous” 2007 Installation view, Venice Biennial / photo kleinefenn@ifrance.com |
