« We have two lives and the second begins when we realize we only have one. ». Confucius.
This sentence of the Chinese philosopher gives a particular light to the works of the two women artists gathered for the exhibition 'Second Life'. Manuèle Bernardi, whose delicate works explore bioethics, and the fragile equilibrium of the plant life cycle and Alexia Tailleur who brings to light the "worn out" of our everyday life.
Both artists use fragility to address gravity. Each one surveys his favorite environment, nature for one, urban for the other. They collect the raw material left behind. And give it a second life.
For Manuèle Bernardi, the transformation is silent, meticulous. Fine nylon threads articulate a new poetry. This nature is protected. The rosebuds become eternal rain. The pine needles frame forever a flight of multicolored butterflies. In these second lives, we discover an intimate relationship, where nature has left herself confident in the hands of the artist. A place of choice is made for her, she regains her status as a foster mother and protector.
Alexia Tailleur's photographs mark the break. A form of collective or individual failure. Where worn objects are exposed on the street, a consumer society's in a rush to end. The tracing paper, support of these images, makes this abandon fragile and alive. The light of the gold or silver leaf erects them into works of art, ready-made, because it could be a urinal, or a bottle rack, right?