Isa Genzken's 1988 Paris exhibition at Galerie Hussenot showcases 25 new works on self-portraiture and visual effects.
In January 1988, the German artist Isa Genzken debuted her first exhibition in France at Galerie Ghislaine Hussenot in Paris, named 'Mona Isa'. This exhibition showcased 25 new pieces that explored composite self-portraits and visual effects, employing mirrors and assemblages to challenge the notion of art as a reflection of society. Notable works included 'Mona Isa VI (Isa und Dürer)', which merges Genzken's portraits with the Mona Lisa and Dürer's self-portrait, and 'Mona Isa IX', connecting her image with Caravaggio's Medusa and Michael Jackson's likeness. Additionally, the exhibition featured three 'Fassade' pieces and six wooden storage boxes labeled 'Hotel', 'Harfe', 'Rutsche', and 'Bibliothek', indicating a transition from social façade theory to self-portraiture.
Key facts
- Isa Genzken's first exhibition in France occurred in January 1988
- The exhibition took place at Galerie Ghislaine Hussenot in Paris
- It featured 25 new works under the title 'Mona Isa'
- Works included references to Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymus Bosch, and Caravaggio
- Three 'Fassade' pieces referenced Nefertiti, Marcel Duchamp, and Laurel and Hardy
- Six wooden storage boxes with colored transparent chairs had titles like 'Hotel' and 'Bibliothek'
- Two silent loudspeakers made of acrylic or polycarbonate were part of the installation
- The show emphasized visual effects, mirrors, assemblages, and plastic transparency
Entities
Artists
- Isa Genzken
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Albrecht Dürer
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Caravaggio
- Marcel Duchamp
- Michael Jackson
- Nefertiti
- Laurel and Hardy
Institutions
- Galerie Ghislaine Hussenot
Locations
- Paris
- France
Sources
- artpress —