Sam Taylor-Wood's Technically Dazzling Yet Manierist Art at CNP Paris

Sam Taylor-Wood's exhibition at the Centre National de la Photographie in Paris runs from May 30 to August 27, 2001, showcasing her photographic and cinematic creations that challenge the intimate settings characteristic of the 1990s. Critic Dominique Baqué acknowledges her technical skill and aesthetic appeal but critiques her pretentious style. Although her use of large format and 360-degree techniques demonstrates high technical proficiency, it also comes across as showy. In Soliloquy, while references to Gainsborough and Velázquez are evident, the connection between subjects is lacking. Baqué argues that in Hysteria, the actress detracts from the theme, while Killing Time successfully conveys a sense of ennui. He considers Naked Flame and similar pieces too academic, favoring Antonioni's Eclipse for its simplicity over Taylor-Wood's approach.