Etiquette, étiquette

This body of work aims to explore the mysterious relationship between etiquette (behavioral culture) and etiquette (label). Louis XIV, the French king was the implementer of the etiquette, in his court one was expected to behave in acceptance to certain rules. According to hearsay, at the request of the gardener, the first labels drew attention to the route to take in the garden, in order to avoid stepping on the grass.

 

The Sun King's set table was decorated with folded napkins. The house-hands were expected to master the art of folding, they learned to pleat serviettes in 25 ways. This 25 thus becomes a magic number in this work, determining the amount of images displayed when installing my printed etiquettes.

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Certain parts of the etiquette that were established at that time are already obsolete, but others still appear at some point during our day, since all our social actions have a regulated form. However, this form is constantly developing, shaping and adapting to the circumstances of life.

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My pastel-colored works embody this change, they are a representation of this transformation. While the 25 are all part of an old, strict system, the crossbreeds are much less constrained. They might be more rebellious, and individualistic, echoing the traits of their forefathers. Printing the photographs of the folded napkins on labels allows these structures to be deconstructed and mixed.

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All works are unique: Edition 1/1

printed on labels

 

Prices on request, please contact:

paul.delamarandais@hangar.art

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