Alex Cecchetti on Performing the Louvre Without the Louvre
Italian artist Alex Cecchetti, based in Paris, reflects on his performance titled "Il Louvre senza il Louvre" (The Louvre Without the Louvre), which captures the essence of the museum's collection through the imagination and physicality, without the actual artifacts. This piece emerged from his explorations within the Louvre and was developed during a residency in London. Cecchetti highlights the importance of collective experience, quoting Juan Rulfo or Nicanor Parra: "Either we all survive together or each drowns alone." He likens the audience's formation to a circle around a fire. The performance features the phrase, "Life is too short not to be ridiculous," viewed as a gesture of generosity. Cecchetti's creative process involves extensive writing and improvisation in Italian, English, and French, drawing from Louvre publications and Julian Jaynes's theories. He contrasts his perspective on nothingness with that of Bartleby, favoring Asian philosophies, and values France's cultural support while addressing immigration topics.
Key facts
- Alex Cecchetti is a Paris-based Italian artist.
- His performance 'Il Louvre senza il Louvre' evokes the Louvre's collection without objects.
- The work originated from his habit of walking through the Louvre to conceive new projects.
- He brought the Louvre to London during a residency when he missed it.
- Cecchetti cites a poem by Juan Rulfo or Nicanor Parra about surviving together or drowning alone.
- He references Elias Canetti's 'Crowds and Power' and the image of a circle around a fire.
- The performance includes the line 'Life is too short not to be ridiculous.'
- Cecchetti writes and studies his text obsessively to allow for improvisation.
- He treats Italian, English, and French as characters that influence his psychology.
- His research includes Louvre publications on Mesopotamia, Julian Jaynes, and Clarisse Herrenschmidt.
- He contrasts his view of nothingness with Bartleby's, preferring Asian philosophies.
- His piece 'Tamam Shud' explores death collectively.
- Cecchetti feels supported as an artist in France and engages with immigration issues.
Entities
Artists
- Alex Cecchetti
- Juan Rulfo
- Nicanor Parra
- Elias Canetti
- Julian Jaynes
- Clarisse Herrenschmidt
Institutions
- Louvre
- Artribune
Locations
- Paris
- France
- London
- United Kingdom