Produced under the program “Outside the walls" of the Louis Vuitton FoundationTaking place at the Espaces Louis Vuitton in Tokyo, Munich, Venice, Beijing, Seoul and Osaka, this exhibition continues the Fondation's mission to engage a wider audience by presenting works from the Collection in international venues.
Nature and ritual
Weaver of visual narratives, Clement Cogitore draws inspiration from the vibrant threads of human experience, intertwining ethnographic observations with the expressive language of dance and the evocative power of historical and contemporary images. His artistic vision is fueled by a fascination with the enduring nature of ritual., the complex interplay between tradition and modernity, the fluid construction of identity, and the persuasive power of images. It explores the persistence of ritual, examining how these practices shape individual and collective identities, evolving in response to the relentless currents of globalization and the ever-changing landscape of modern life.
Tradition and modernity
Cogitore also delves into the intricate relationship between tradition and modernity, revealing the tensions and connections that unite these seemingly disparate forces, illustrating how they can coexist, challenge and enrich each other. Focusing on the construction of identity, he analyzes the cultural forces, social structures and personal choices that shape human beings. Cogitore’s work has received considerable recognition, including three César nominations in 2016 and 2019 and two selections in the Critics’ Week of the Cannes International Film Festival (2015 and 2019). Fascinated by the power of images, he manipulates found footage to expose the narratives they create and how they influence our perception of the world. The Evil Eye, an installation created in 2018 specifically for the Prix Marcel Duchamp, represents a milestone in his artistic journey, having received the prestigious award. While examining our relationship with images, using archive footage to expose manipulation techniques rooted in mob psychology and consumerism, this video work plays with green screen backgrounds and overexposed images, revealing a dystopian vision of artificial happiness designed to incite greed. The work also critiques constructed identity, architecture, and urbanism, highlighting how idealized and commodified spaces can lead to alienation. Ultimately, it is an invitation to contemplate the human condition, question the boundaries between reality and representation, and explore the enduring power of culture to shape our lives.
