APPROXIMATE CONTINENT
1993-94

The ever-changing natural elements which make-up Antarctica serves as the inspiration for Approximate Continent. These elements - land and ice, both permanent and temporary - are in a state of constant natural flux depending on many environmental factors, including the changing seasons. In keeping with this idea Approximate Continent consists of a continental dome made of resin which captures the humidity in the air, while the cooling system beneath the dome serve to transform the humidity into ice. Consequently, the amount of ice which forms on the continental dome is dependent on the amount of humidity in the air on any given day. Therefore, the landmarks of ice which form on the dome are constantly changing depending on the surrounding environment.

110 x 180 x 180 cm
Resin, cooling system, air.

THE GARGOYLES
1993

Like their medieval ancestors, these modern-day gargoyles serve to channel the natural elements. The twelve cement receptacle are cooled to a point where, little by little, the humidity in the atmosphere in close proximity condenses to form ice in the receptacles and icicles towards the mouth of the receptacles. The ice then partially melts with the change of temperature, both in the atmosphere and of the cooling system. The water recedes towards the back of the receptacles, where it then comes in contact with electrical resisters which causes the water to evaporate.

400 x 400 x 65 cm.
Cooling system, cement, humidity, steel, ceramic,
electrical resisters, timer.

ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS
1995

Activated by a simple touch, this polished cement lamp emits rumbles, sighs and other sounds of vibration, evoking the sensation of the awakening of a magical force within. Embedded throughout the sculpture are metal captors which pick up the electric charge transmitted by the human body and transforms them into sounds. Since each individual posses a different level of electrical charge, the sounds produced by one's touch varies with each individual.

40 x 100 x 150 cm.
Cement, copper, electronic system, sound, touch.

Eric Le Maire

 

Born in 1963 Levallois
Lives and works in Paris

 

EXHIBITIONS

1983 " Berriat 83 ", Grenoble (catalogue)
1984 " Expoterre ", Grenoble
1988 " 109 ", E.N.A., Cergy
1988 " Exposition ", E.N.A., Cergy
1989 " Impression d'Afrique ", Reims
1990 " Laboratoire ", Musée Russe, Leningrad (catalogue)
" Exposition de 4 heures ", Leningrad
1991 " L'espace d'un instant ", Paris (catalogue)
1993 Personal exposition, Espace Montjoie, La Plaine-Saint-Denis (catalogue)
" Future lies ahead ", Taedok Science Town, Taejon, South Korea (catalogue)
" Ouvert pendant travaux ", Espace Montjoie, La Plaine-Saint- Denis
" Quoi de neuf à la plaine? ", Espace Montjoie, La Plaine- Saint-Denis
1994 " Un papillon sur la roue ", Palais des Arts, Toulouse
1995 " Demarches d'artistes ", Institut Franco-Chinois, Hong-Kong

 

PRESS

 

Journal de Saint-Denis, N°88, p. 96, 1992, text by M.Lenfant " L'Espace d'un instant ", Art Press, N166, p. 96, 1992, text by P.Ardenne
" Fiac 1995, De stand en stand ", Le nouveau Dimanche, n°4, 1er Oct.1995, text by Céline Orsoni.
" Qui acheter à la FIAC cette année ", Beaux-Arts Magazine, fascicule n° 2, numéro 138, Oct. 1995, p. 15
" Ouvertures de galeries ", Libération, page culturelle, text by H.F Debailleux, vendredi 27 Oct.1995