Exo Exo, Paris – Amitiés

Amitiés
Julie Beaufils, Hans Bellmer, Bianca Bondi, Nicholas Grafia, Matthieu Haberard, Stanislao Lepri, Beatrice Marchi, Hubert Marot, Daniele Milvio, Francis Picabia, Clément Roche, Julie Villard & Simon Brossard

Curated by Exo Exo

David Giroire, Paris
March 20 – April 6, 2019

press release

Amitiés, 2019
Exhibition view, David Giroire, Paris

Daniele Milvio, Flegonte, 2017
Oil pastel, gouache and ink on canvas

Amitiés, 2019
Exhibition view, David Giroire, Paris

Julie Beaufils, Sans titre, 2018
Oil on canvas

Hubert Marot, BB 1, 2019
Spray paint and b&w silver print on PVC

Hans Bellmer, Etude préparatoire au Portrait d’Unica avec l’oeil-sexe, Ca 1961
Pencil on paper

Nicholas Grafia, WHATCHABACK, 2018
Acrylic and gouache on canvas

Clément Roche, Bathroom geographies FS 1.3, 2018
Metallic high reflexion print mounted on PVC

Stanislao Lepri, Il Vulcano, 1968
Oil on canvas

Matthieu Haberard, Insomnie, les portes ouvertes, 2018
Plastic, acrylic, oil pastel, electronics

Matthieu Haberard, Insomnie, les portes ouvertes, detail, 2018
Plastic, acrylic, oil pastel, electronics

Matthieu Haberard, Insomnie, les portes ouvertes, 2018
Plastic, acrylic, oil pastel, electronics

Francis Picabia, Sans titre, Ca 1940-43
Pencil on paper

Amitiés, 2019
Exhibition view, David Giroire, Paris

Julie Beaufils, Soleil Noir, 2018
Oil on canvas

Beatrice Marchi, Latte e biscotti, 2016
Ink and chalk on paper

Anonyme, Cadavre exquis, Ca 1930
Color pencil on paper

Bianca Bondi, Bloom (Rien ne se perd), 2018
Copper, brass, cristals, salt, mixed media

Bianca Bondi, Bloom (Rien ne se perd), detail, 2018
Copper, brass, cristals, salt, mixed media

Bianca Bondi, Bloom (Rien ne se perd), 2018
Copper, brass, cristals, salt, mixed media

Bianca Bondi, Bloom (Rien ne se perd), detail, 2018
Copper, brass, cristals, salt, mixed media

Julie Villard & Simon Brossard, Syruping Shells, 2019
Resin, metal, glass, polyuréthane paint

Julie Villard & Simon Brossard, Syruping Shells, detail, 2019
Resin, metal, glass, polyuréthane paint

Julie Villard & Simon Brossard, Syruping Shells, detail, 2019
Resin, metal, glass, polyuréthane paint

Friendship is a fundamental social practice. It is defined through one’s attachment to a group as much as it could be the very origin of the groups’ existence. Its endurance is tested by the very nature of the bonds that define it. I’m getting closer to you because. I care about you because. I stay with you because. What calls it into existence is also what it brings to existence. Which is why friendship plays such an important role in practice. It is made of intentions, habits, comfort, challenge, benevolence. Forming a community in such a way to encompass all ambiguity; welcoming but narrow, gregarious yet bound.

Almost everything presented here is a story of connections, common interests, interactions. If affection is not reason enough to reflect and birth an exhibition, it nevertheless makes sense when it proves to be the luminous bystander of attractions that become exchanges, chance encounters that turn into projects. When the initial motivation - what do I get in return - becomes compassion, identification, emulation.

Friendship is the source of unbelievable situations, unbelievable force. A classic, it does not age and is the same as it was 100 years ago. Functioning as its own strength and support system. Reiterating the value of group structures through its necessary and untamed dimension. Our basic needs respond to one another. It is the basis of all trade, before the internationalization of trade, modern means of transport, internet consumption. I will trade you this for that. But still, I need to know you. Taking care and unfolding as a fantastic means of transmission. From you to me, from me to him, to her. A social tool, friendship activates differences and allows the emergence of the new in a climate other than that of distrust. I rely on you. You place your trust in us.

Elisa Rigoulet