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Laurent Perbos French , b. 1971
Anti-Basket Ball
Polyurethane resin, steel base, epoxy paint
40 cm
'Antik Basketball' by Laurent Perbos is a unique artwork that bridges classical antiquity with contemporary culture by reimagining ancient statues adorned with basketball textures. The piece features portraits of classical...
"Antik Basketball" by Laurent Perbos is a unique artwork that bridges classical antiquity with contemporary culture by reimagining ancient statues adorned with basketball textures. The piece features portraits of classical figures, such as Apollo, Artemis, Meleager, or even Julien de Médicis, each with a basketball covering integrated into their portrayal. This juxtaposition of the classical and the modern invites viewers to explore the intersections of historical and popular culture, highlighting the contrast between high art and mass-market objects.
Perbos employs humor, tinged with a slight sense of cynicism, as he repurposes these iconic statues into elements of modern leisure. By doing so, he raises questions about the role of art in a "cultural whole," subtly critiquing contemporary tendencies to commodify and reinterpret historical art forms. The basketball cover acts as a symbol of mass culture, emphasizing how everyday, recognizable items can transform the narrative space of classical art.
This blend of past and present, high culture and popular culture, creates an "antinomic" effect, where contrasting elements coexist in a single frame. Perbos' choice to short-circuit traditional meanings with modern iconography encourages viewers to see these ancient forms through a new lens, ultimately opening a fresh dialogue about art, identity, and cultural memory.
Perbos employs humor, tinged with a slight sense of cynicism, as he repurposes these iconic statues into elements of modern leisure. By doing so, he raises questions about the role of art in a "cultural whole," subtly critiquing contemporary tendencies to commodify and reinterpret historical art forms. The basketball cover acts as a symbol of mass culture, emphasizing how everyday, recognizable items can transform the narrative space of classical art.
This blend of past and present, high culture and popular culture, creates an "antinomic" effect, where contrasting elements coexist in a single frame. Perbos' choice to short-circuit traditional meanings with modern iconography encourages viewers to see these ancient forms through a new lens, ultimately opening a fresh dialogue about art, identity, and cultural memory.