Michel Journiac's Hands Take Center Stage at Galerie Christophe Gaillard

Galerie Christophe Gaillard in Paris presents "Les Mains," an exhibition focusing on the motif of hands in Michel Journiac's work, running until February 26, 2022. Curated by Richard Leydier, the show highlights how hands appear throughout Journiac's performances and photographs, from early works to later rituals. Journiac, a former seminarian, developed a semiology of the body, with hands serving as a key element in his Catholic-inspired rites. The exhibition includes works like "Rituel du sang" (1976), featuring stigmatic hands, and "Rituel pour un mort" (1976), performed at Père Lachaise cemetery. A film of "Messe pour un corps" (1969) at Galerie Templon is projected, showing Journiac chanting Latin liturgy and using a blood sausage as the host. Armance Léger contributes an essay for visitors. The gallery represents the Journiac estate and chose this thematic focus over a more obvious gender-themed show.