Les Lames Levées
four elements made of forged and graven steel
1980
1,92 x 1,16 x 0,43 meters ; 1,83 x 0,66 x 0,52 meters ; 1,60 x 1,12 x 0,61 meters ; 1,48 x 1,12 x 0,69 meters
Four plates of steel placed vertically, but leaning slightly, are supported against the wainscoting by a separate, thinner, piece of metal which is arranged diagonally and is roughly curved. Every piece is marked with a large inscribed circle, as if the perfection of the marking were designed to conflict with the irregular treatment of the metallic surface. These pieces have an austere, hieratic quality which is somewhat undermined by a feeling of instability; they give the impression of being suspended. The laws that govern their grouping are of a purely fantastic nature. The pieces have both a religious pomposity and an irony to them.
— G.G. Lemaire for Artforum
Collection:
Musee National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
Press:
Artforum, Summer 1982. Review: "Michel Gérard, Galerie Jeanne-Bucher, Paris" by Gerard-Georges Lemaire. Translated from the French by Jamey Gambrell: p.94
Bibliography:
Tronche, Anne, "Les conquêtes de la sculpture: Michel Gérard, l'espace mental," Arts Magazine, Nov 27, 1981, no. 43
Chalumeau, Jean-Luc, "Les parcours de Michel Gérard," Opus International, Paris, spring 1982, no. 84: p. 46-47
Catalogue for museum conservation, Centre Pompidou, 1986-87
Michel Gérard, Museum of Fine Arts and Lace, Calais, 1988
Contemporary art collection, Paris, National Museum of Modern Art under the direction of Sophie Duplaix, Centre Pompidou, 2007
Michel Gerard, Musée Départemental des Vosges, Epinal (1983): p. 20-23
Michel Gerard, Galerie Jeanne Bucher (1981) p. 1-9
Michel Gérard: Signature Transformations 2009–1972, Christian Pirot (2009): p. 15
Michel Gérard: Skulpturen 1976-1988 by Städtische Kunsthalle Mannheim (1988): p. 71
Michel Gérard: Sculptures 1976-1987, Musée de Calais (1988): p. 35
Exhibition history:
2003-05 Permanent collection, Pompidou Centre (Oct 14, 2003-Jun 30, 2005)
1988-89 Kunsthalle Mannheim (Nov 6, 1988-Jan 14, 1989)
1988 Fine Arts and Lace Museum of Calais (Apr 23-Jun 12)
1982 Max Hutchinson Gallery, New York (Jan-Feb)
1981 Galerie Jeanne Bucher, Paris (Nov 12-Dec 12)