Alain Bizos's Theft-Based Works at Polka Galerie Reflect 1968 Aftermath and French Politics
Alain Bizos's showcase, titled 'Politically Incorrect,' is being held at Polka Galerie in Paris from January 15 to 25, 2020. The exhibition presents artworks centered on themes of theft and crime, drawing inspiration from the protests of 1968. Notable pieces include 'Smile' (1971), which features a photograph of a surveillance camera sign alongside a smiling Bizos, and 'Vol des lettres V.O.I.' (1970), capturing his act of stealing adhesive letters. Additional works depict him pilfering sports equipment and a suitcase on the streets of New York. The display also features 'Bye-Bye Mao' (1976), showcasing degrading posters of Mao Zedong, and 'Mariane-Colère' (2010), which portrays women reflecting on political turmoil. Works related to Jacques Mesrine, such as 'La Guillotine' (1979), illustrate his violent demise in Paris. John Quin reviewed the exhibition in March 2020.
Key facts
- Alain Bizos's exhibition 'Politically Incorrect' ran at Polka Galerie in Paris from January 15 to 25, 2020.
- Works like 'Smile' (1971) and 'Vol des lettres V.O.I.' (1970) involve theft as a central theme, with photographs and stolen objects.
- Bizos's pieces reference Joseph Kosuth's conceptual art and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's notion that all property is theft.
- 'Bye-Bye Mao' (1976) charts the decline of Maoism in Paris through degrading posters of Mao Zedong.
- 'Mariane-Colère' (2010) features 48 portraits of women in Phrygian caps, addressing French political conflicts.
- A series on Jacques Mesrine includes 'Le Tir, Jacques Mesrine (triptych)' (1979) and 'La Guillotine' (1979).
- Jacques Mesrine was a French bank robber killed by police in Paris in 1979, shot 15 times in his gold BMW.
- The exhibition was reviewed by John Quin in the March 2020 issue of ArtReview.
Entities
Artists
- Alain Bizos
- Joseph Kosuth
- Picasso
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Jacques Mesrine
- Mao Zedong
- Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
- John Quin
Institutions
- Polka Galerie
- ArtReview
Locations
- Paris
- France
- New York
- United States