Alain Declercq's Militarized Sailboat at Passerelle
Alain Declercq's exhibition 'Jolly Roger' at Centre d'art Passerelle in Brest, France, from September 21 to November 16, 2002, transforms a pleasure sailboat into a zinc-plated armored vessel, occupying the central space. The project originated from a two-month residency aimed at demilitarizing naval equipment, but negotiations with the French Navy were halted, leading Declercq to reverse the process. The exhibition also features bullet-riddled plasterboard panels depicting a naval battle and a pirate flag, created by shooting real bullets along pre-drawn lines. A previous work in Brétigny involved a Citroën 'Évasion' disguised as a police car, available for public use at their own risk. Declercq's practice analyzes authority, power, and violence through precise experimentation.
Key facts
- Alain Declercq's exhibition 'Jolly Roger' at Centre d'art Passerelle in Brest, France, from 21/09/02 to 16/11/02.
- The exhibition features a pleasure sailboat covered in zinc plates, resembling an armored vehicle.
- The project began as an attempt to demilitarize French Navy equipment during a two-month residency.
- Negotiations with the French Navy were stopped, leading Declercq to militarize a civilian sailboat instead.
- The sailboat is displayed with a launching ramp pointing toward the city, evoking minimalist sculpture.
- Other works include bullet-riddled plasterboard panels depicting a naval battle and a pirate flag.
- Declercq previously created a Citroën 'Évasion' disguised as a police car in Brétigny, available for public use.
- The exhibition title 'Jolly Roger' reflects the pirate flag motif and the spirit of the work.
Entities
Artists
- Alain Declercq
Institutions
- Centre d'art Passerelle
- French Navy
- Palais de Tokyo
Locations
- Brest
- France
- Brétigny
Sources
- artpress —