Papiers ouvrés
handmade paper, paper pulp, iron oxide dye
1981
dimensions vary
The series Papiers ouvrés or Wrought Papers are made with a pulp of rags pulverized in a vat and dyed with iron oxide. They aim to produce an ambiguity in the perception of weight. These thick sheets of paper can be hung on the wall, leaned against it, set on the ground or on slabs in an empty space. Positioning them in space is an integral part of creating the sculpture.
— Michel Gérard
"The Papiers ouvres become sculptural murals and produce an ambiguous effect. Their light weight is annulled by the intensity of their coloring, which is close to that of works that have actually been sculpted. Without being in the least bit a translation, an interpretation, or an extrapolation of the ideas in the other pieces, they are a fitting complement nonetheless.”
— G.G. Lemaire for Artforum
Collections:
Collection of the Pompidou Centre (nos. 4 and 18)
Collection of the artist
Collection of Sophie Lefevre
Collection of Matthias Gérard
Press:
(1) "Un art de papier" by Pascal Najean, L'Est Républicain; (2) Artforum, Summer 1982. Review: "Michel Gérard, Galerie Jeanne-Bucher, Paris" by Gerard-Georges Lemaire. Translated from the French by Jamey Gambrell: p.94; (3) "Le Papier," Traverse magazine, no 27/28, May 1983.
Bibliography:
Michel Gérard, Galerie Jeanne Bucher, 1981.
Michel Gérard: Signature Transformations 2009–1972, Christian Pirot (2009): p. 17-19
Michel Gerard, Musée Départemental des Vosges, Epinal (1983): p. 30-39
Exhibitions:
1981 Galerie Jeanne Bucher, 53 rue de Seine, Paris
1982 Hutchinson Gallery, 138 Greene St, New York
1983 Musée de la Vieille Charité, Marseille