One could spend hours watching, dumbfounded, the cut-out figures moving on the bas-relief panels of Niki de Saint Phalle. Not a sound, they slide on rails by an invisible mechanism. But in their explosion of colors, we recognize the vein of the artist of the Nanas! In this joyful theater, the sun rises when the moon sets, a colorful elephant appears, heads assemble and separate, jazz dancers swing, women show off their breasts in the shape of hearts. This simple whirlwind of life is a reflection of his.
Waiting for the breakdown
Between 1992 and 1994, Niki de Saint Phalle (died in 2002) designed what she called Les Tableaux éclatés, in homage to Jean Tinguely, who died in 1991, her former companion met thirty years earlier, the friend from whom she separated but with whom she continued to produce. To treat depression, she decided to go to New York, where she grew up, and realized the series called Exploded Paintings whose movement on the contrary remains soft. They are twelve in number and shown for the first time at the Galerie Vallois since their presentation at Niki's retrospective at the ARC-Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris, in 1993. Prices range from 250,000 to 900,000 dollars and several have already found takers. At the same time, in the New York gallery, Niki's pieces from the 1960s are exhibited, including a historical shot just sold to a major foundation.
Through my new works, Jean, we continue to collaborate. You are always present even if these paintings do not look like you
Niki de Saint Phalle to Jean Tinguely, in 1993
For Les Tableaux éclatés, when Niki de Saint Phalle "decided to take up this issue of the movement on her own, (...) It draws from...
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