Being-Names (2004)
Jean-Bernard Métais, "Being-Names" (2004). Archives Départementales de La Sarthe. Le Mans (France)
Installed in front of the new Archive Building, "Being-Names" reads like a litany inscribed upon a semi-transparent curtain. The artist has assembled, in alphabetical order, the name of every single village, town and city in the region of La Sarthe. The strange poetic unity of the inscriptions, coupled with the faraway sounds of the ancient names, certain of them with origins that date back to the Gallo-Roman era or the French Revolution, leads us on a curious trip back in time. This unsettling recognition reminds us of the intimate relationship we have with the names of places that may be extremely familiar to us, but whose extraordinary poetic richness has escaped us. By upsetting the regular order in which we are used to seeing these names, the artist's work at the Archives reconnects us with a precious yet fragile link to the rich underworld of everyday words.
Stainless Steel 4 x 8 m
Commissioned by the Conseil Général La Sarthe -Cost: 180 000€
Installed in front of the new Archive Building, "Being-Names" reads like a litany inscribed upon a semi-transparent curtain. The artist has assembled, in alphabetical order, the name of every single village, town and city in the region of La Sarthe. The strange poetic unity of the inscriptions, coupled with the faraway sounds of the ancient names, certain of them with origins that date back to the Gallo-Roman era or the French Revolution, leads us on a curious trip back in time. This unsettling recognition reminds us of the intimate relationship we have with the names of places that may be extremely familiar to us, but whose extraordinary poetic richness has escaped us. By upsetting the regular order in which we are used to seeing these names, the artist's work at the Archives reconnects us with a precious yet fragile link to the rich underworld of everyday words.
Stainless Steel 4 x 8 m
Commissioned by the Conseil Général La Sarthe -Cost: 180 000€
News
- Sydney 2023
- Qianhai Word - Shenzhen 2020/2021
- Crossing 2020 - Pittsburgh (en cours de création)
- Place Making Bruxelles 2018-2019
- Core Nubes- Bourget Airport - 2018/2021
exposition
- exhibition
- EXPO 1/72è LandART2023 TOULOUSE
- LES EXTATIQUES 2021
- Exposition IVRESSE 2022
- THE SENSORIAL ROOM 2019/2020 Galerie La Forest Divonne
- EXPO Sensorial room - Castel of Poncé/Loir
- KOMOLEBI
- Exposition "VIVRE" Abbaye de Silvacan
- "IVRESSE" Mai juin 2017 Paris Galerie Laforest divonne
- "ESPRIT DE VIN" 2016/2017 Lilles musee des Beaux arts
- "LES TEMPS IMPARTIS" 2015 Bruxelles Galerie la forêt Divonne
China (2012-2019)
- AoYang 2018
- Sanya -2018-2019
- Red Sun - Shangra
- Wind Organ - Nanjing
- Constellation - Wuhan
- Phoenix-Oriflamme - Tianjin
- Vortex (2014). Jurong (China)
- Sensorial Room - Jurong 2142
Selected Artworks
- Expo Dubaï 2020
- Gira londa (2017) Bordeaux
- Alliance, Cardiff (Wales)
- Litany (2007) - Valenciennes (France)
- The Wave (2007) - Luxembourg
- Walking through Walls (2006) - Luxembourg
- Alloted Time-Eclipse (1999-2002)
- Fluorescence - Japon (2009-2010)
- The Halo (2002) - Paris
- An Anthropological Structure of Imaginary (2005) - Strasbourg
- Immersion, London
Archives
- Brussels exposition June 8 to July 20 - Galerie LA FOREST DIVONNE
- Invalides (2013) - Paris
- Memorial (2013)
- Create yourself... (2011). Beijing (China)
- Eu - France (2010-2011)
- Equeurdreville - France (2010)
- Parc du musée de Tessé du Mans - France (2009)
- Cap d'Agde (France) 2009
- Clepsydra (2007)
- Corolla (temporary installation)
- Sensorial Chamber (temporary installation).
- Being-Names (2004)
- Chambre d'éclipse - Donjon de Vez (2002)
- Being-Word (2000)
- The Persistent Desire to Persist (2000)
photo
Project
- Sensor dream - lysfiskeren - Bergen - Norway
- Polen - London (2011)
- The Ring (2008). London
- Jussieu (France) 2009
- Stadion (2003). Salzburg
- Screen (2007). Liverpool (UK)
- Perth (Australia) 2009
- Vancouver (Canada) 2009
Work in Sand
- Expo 2015: Temps impartis et être mot
- Boa vibrant
- Temps imparti & paysages (2000)
- Eboulis 1998
- Depossession (1994)
- les réversibles
- irreversible 2002
- Les centemps