Douglas Gordon's puzzle-like exhibition at Galerie Kamel Mennour explores desire and memory through film references

Douglas Gordon presented The Anatomy of My Desire at Galerie Kamel Mennour in Paris from June 7 to July 20, 2019. The exhibition spanned two gallery spaces in the 6th arrondissement, inviting visitors to piece together a puzzle of childhood and early adulthood memories. Gordon employed a wide range of mediums, with desire—fulfilled or unfulfilled, projected or remembered—as a central theme. His connection to Paris and France was explored through cinephilia, referencing films like Albert Lamorisse's The Red Balloon, Claire Denis's Beau Travail, and Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris. The latter's famous butter scene was reinterpreted in a video work titled Solid Milk. The fluid, andante con moto rhythm of the display shifted from discreet, intimate pieces to more demonstrative installations, creating an immersive Gesamtkunstwerk. Notable works included Look No Hands, two coats inspired by Marlon Brando's in Last Tango; d, a folded wool blanket referencing Denis's film; All Yesterday's Parties, comprising 51 pieces; and the Hitchcockian video installation Silence, Exile, Deceit. Other pieces featured were The Things He Does, a neon work; Stolen Fruit, an aluminum sculpture; and The Rhythm of the Night, a series of watercolors on paper. Gordon's restrained works proved particularly effective and haunting, showcasing a remarkable persistence. The exhibition emphasized personal memory grafting, with filmic nods enhancing its evocative power.