eBook Rancinan solo show

RANCINAN InHong Kong

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The Photographer Gérard Rancinan in Hong Kong Exhibiting in the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums such as the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the Triennale in Milan and the Museu d’Art Contemporani in Barcelona, Gérard Rancinan’s magnificent photography finally makes its debut in Hong Kong, as part of his world tour.

Marking the first photography exhibition to be held by our Hong Kong gallery, “Rancinan in Hong Kong” is a boundary-breaking show, both in its physical magnitude as well as in its subject matter.

Rancinan takes photography to a higher level, presenting his compositions as artistic entities that surpass mere existence, displayed in a complex and rich context linking and intertwining their past inspiration with their present existence in a futuristic and adventurous form.

Rancinan draws on inspiration from vast subject matters, from fashion icons to classical art, giving his provoking compositions a fresh interpretation every time.

As you will discover in this show, the imaginative world of Rancinan is a fascinating place to visit; it will intrigue you, excite you, even disturb you at times but will always leave you in awe of the extremely talented execution of a simple idea.

We feel privileged to host Rancinan in Hong Kong and look forward to sharing this exceptional show with you.

Gilles Dyan Chairman Opera Gallery Group

Shirley Yablonsky Director Opera Gallery Hong Kong

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presentation

Born in the Bordeaux region, Gérard Rancinan travels the globe, bearing first hand witness to events of historical importance. Natural catastrophes, civil and ethnic wars, and urban riots… he comes face to face with the complexity of the human condition and the random events by which it is fashioned.

His imperious need for self-expression leads him to focus on the world’s most important issues, he delivers startling images filtered through an ever-evolving aesthetic prism.

Constantly breaking down barriers, he is, by turn, an investigator deconstructing the great sagas of contemporary life, and a portraitist. His photographs of athletes, artists, ecclesiastics and politicians have become iconic. His images have earned him a number of prizes, including four prestigious World Press Awards.

Following his domain of predilection, in the “Trilogy of the Moderns” he becomes the wakeful observer of his contemporaries. This marginal perspective involves real mises en scène, veritable simulacra of the world in which we live.

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Gérard Rancinan’s work can be compared to no other. Labeled as fine-art photography, the artist’s profession is also his means of expression and commitment. Rancinan’s photographs are not merely conditioned reflexes.

Internationally renowned, Gérard Rancinan’s work is exhibited in the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums and features in the most important contemporary art collections. During a recent Étude Millon auction at Drouot (2008), Gérard Rancinan became one of the highest ranked photographers in France. Gérard Rancinan is a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

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They are the very instruments of his thought-process, sensitive views of the world we live in and recognized forms of contemporary art. Rancinan breaks with the conventional world of photography in order to follow a road that, although not solitary, remains unique.

Although his photographs are always inspired by the reality of our world nowadays, they are so much more than the mere face-value representation of such a reality. Rancinan’s works are poetic propositions, fragments of an enlightened vision of our times.

The artist likes to start with a more classic inspiration - from Velázquez to Géricault - combining it with the influence of his encounters with Robert Rauschenberg or Paul McCarthy; the result is the production of pre-meditated creations for which Rancinan alone holds the secret.

Entering this surprising universe amounts to accepting the risk of discovering something new, to look elsewhere while the world’s gaze continues in more orthodox directions. Every photograph of the artist’s creation is a punch to the gut, void of any stylish effect. Each of the artist’s exhibitions is an exploration of destabilisation, from which one never emerges unscathed, but always stronger.

biography

metamorphoses Bearing active witness to the great upheavals of Humanity...

Metamorphosis I - The Raft of Illusions Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame

Metamorphosis II - Freedom Unveiled Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Metamorphosis III - The Garden of Delirium Fine Art print, golden wood frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

Metamorphosis IV - The Big Supper Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Metamorphosis V - Don’t Kill your Brother Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

Metamorphosis VI - Las Meninas Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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-ETAMORPHOSIS 6)) 4HE $ANCE OR THE %LEGY OF THE 3ACRED Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

Metamorphosis VIII-IX-X Birth & Death - Triptych Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Metamorphosis XI - Decadence Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

hypotheses Bubbles of thought preserved against the obliteration of our memory...

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Hypothesis II - A Marvellous World Fine Art print, golden wood frame

X CM X IN s %DITION OF

Hypothesis IV - Hiroshima Memory Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Hypothesis VI - The Three Graces Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Hypothesis XI - The Martyr Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Hypothesis XII - Promise Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

a wonderful world Life is one big amusement park‌

Batman Family Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

On the Way Back from Disneyland Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

Our Soldiers Save our Values Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Family Watching TV Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM n X IN s %DITION OF

Desperate Marilyn Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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portraits From a simple portrait to a unique artistic performance

Adriana Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame 120 x 180 cm - 47.2 x 70.9 in. %DITION OF

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Paul McCarthy Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Gong Li Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Zhang Huan Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN s %DITION OF

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Ming in Grey, Red, White - Triptych Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame

eulogy to being different Having a slightly different view of the world

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Danny Ramos Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

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Deb Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

Jimmy and the Bull Argentic print mounted on plexiglas in artist’s frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

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specimens The vanity of man to change the world to fit his image

3PECIMEN Fine Art print, white wood frame X X IN %DITION OF

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Specimen # 2694 Fine Art print, white wood frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

Specimen # 2789 Fine Art print, white wood frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

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3PECIMEN Fine Art print, white wood frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

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Specimen # 2417 Fine Art print, white wood frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

3PECIMEN Fine Art print, white wood frame X CM X IN %DITION OF

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the creative process

whatthepaperssay!