CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: DANCE OF DEATH (GUIMARÃES 2012)

The work of Christian Boltanski (Paris, 1944) ? one of the most renowned French artists of the second half of the twentieth century ? combines memories and experiences, both fictional and real, that gain shape as objects, written and photographic documents, films, installations and artist books. In his work, the historical memory intersects with intimate recollection and individual memory. 
The two pieces now presented ? Danse Macabre [Dance of Death] and Dernière seconde [Last Second] ? were specifically conceived for Guimarães 2012 – European Capital of Culture. In Danse Macabre, numerous items of clothing, mostly overcoats and trench coats, are kept circulating around the space by means of a mechanical system. Boltanski started working with clothes long ago, perceiving them as an index of the memory and stories of the anonymous people who wore them. According to the artist, ‘everyone is worthy of a monument’. The choreography of these clothes, unfolding within a former garment factory, constitutes an evoking of stories from a past, as well as the projection of individual memories. In Dernière seconde, a chronometer counts the seconds of the artist’s existence until the moment of his death. In a curious exercise of self-representation, which has been a hallmark of his work since the beginning, time and life converge in the mechanical progression of the numbers that represent an existence.These two new moments in Christian Boltanksi’s artistic production once more articulate life and death in the singular expression of memory and history that have always characterized his work.

Curator: João FernandesOrganization and production: Fundação de Serralves

Venue: Fábrica Asa - Covas, Polvoreira, Guimarães
Opening hours:Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 8 pm.Thursdays to Sundays from 10 am to 10 pm.

This exhibition is curated by João Fernandes and is part of the Cycle Modes of Production of the Art & Architecture programme of Guimarães 2012 European Capital of Culture.