“It is a publishing house which today enjoys great visibility on the international scene,” enthuses Christian Pallatier, of the Bakery Art Gallery (BAG) in Bordeaux. “She is present at Art Basel Paris, Art Dubai, Frieze… She is invited everywhere. » Understand: in the most prestigious contemporary art fairs. Behind this Parisian structure founded in 2015, we find Louise Grislain, Anna Klossowski and Charlotte Morel. Their meeting in 2009 at the Sorbonne, as part of their master’s studies in exhibition curating, gave birth to We Do Not Work Alone. The idea? Support emerging or established artists in the creation of everyday objects, produced as unique pieces, in limited or unlimited editions.
“This project was born from a desire to do things differently,” says Anna Klossowski. With this observation: art makes life more interesting, more beautiful, and it should not be reserved for a restricted circle, but remain accessible to as many people as possible. Through its functionality, it becomes more affordable and less intimidating, while incorporating a dimension dear to Japanese culture: repeated use transforms an object into something even more precious. »
Beautiful, playful and atypical
In a decade, nearly 80 pieces have seen the light of day with the collaboration of more than forty artists. Among them: Annette Messager with her tape measure (“Mêtre-Cool”, 2017) at 25 euros, since sold out (obviously), or Claude Closky and his die, each side of which bears the words “play” or “lost”, also out of stock.
“Every object has this amount of fun and intelligence”
In Bordeaux, around twenty other pieces are to be discovered. Among them: the delicious ceramic caps in the shape of a cat’s head by Alain Séchas, which fit into the neck of your bottles and flasks; an oilcloth tablecloth by Olaf Breuning; a pair of white cotton gloves printed by Mathieu Mercier, flanked by the words “Love” and “Hate”, in reference to the famous tattoos worn by Robert Mitchum in the cult film “The Night of the Hunter”; a kitchen apron by Marc Camille Chaimowicz; a “Splash” umbrella by John Armleder; a butter dish by Erwin Wurm inspired by his famous “Fat Houses” sculptures. Again, a metal ruler by Elsa Werth, playing with the notions of measurement and mathematics, without forgetting this wall-mounted rack, articulated and mobile, designed by Bordeaux resident Benoît Maire to accommodate small everyday objects and allow you to hang clothes, scarves and ties.
“Each object has this amount of fun and intelligence,” Christian Pallatier rightly indicates. Each piece was also designed in partnership with exceptional artisans or manufacturers, or even with institutions such as the Palais de Tokyo (“Bouchonchat” by Alain Séchas) and the Bourse du Commerce – François Pinault collection, with the “Bouchonchat” watch. Thump-thump, tick-tock, splash” by Ryan Gander. Something to brighten up everyday life in a fun and original way. As for prices, they vary from 18 to 1,500 euros.
“We Do Not Work Alone” visible until January 18. Bakery Art Gallery, 44, rue Saint-François, Bordeaux. Free entry Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. bakeryartgallery.com
