The author brings up important points, particularly the superficial and naive aspect of the work. This utopian attempt to picture every face is something that photo-mechanical image practices introduced almost two hundred years ago, and one thinks of the work of August Sander. Digital technologies reignite this hope.
I saw JR's installation at the Pantheon in Paris in 2014. It was eerie to be surrounded by and walk over the faces of those who live outside the Pantheon--which is literally a crypt memorializing "notable" French faces. As this installation suggests, JR clearly considers the site. This is why his series of close-ups of young people from Paris suburbs, which were pasted in bourgeoise Paris neighborhoods, was so successful, As well, he uses a delightfully engaging style (wide-angle distortion; funny expressions) that does not stereotype his subjects. In contrast to Sander, JR has found a way to keep each sitter's individuality intact while suggesting the pantheon of humanity. The result is dizzying.
3
In case readers have missed it, I strongly recommend seeing the 2017 documentary "Faces Places" that JR made with Agnes Varda. It's engaging and charming and his work is very impressive. One of my very favorite films from recent years.
8
Proves once again that there is something from the more egalitarian graffiti-world that can translate onto a fine-art platform with put being pretentious or losing it's power. Keith Haring would smile, I think.
3
Any article on Trump gets 6000 comments within seconds of being posted, and here I'm number 3? Not saying one is more important than the other, but art is surely more relevant than just 3 comments would suggest. But I digress...
JR occupies this unique and lovely space between the Pop and Fine. The lively aesthetics without being pretentious or impenetrable, the documentary feel of not only the finished work but the process as well, and also his personal presence in just the right amount, all combine to make a truly inventive contemporary body of work. Not quite great yet, I think he's still too young to have earned that, but surely headed in that direction.
9
Absolutely superb article - I have followed JR for some time and saw the show at the Brooklyn Museum, but the "explanation" and his profile "analysed" here is simply bullseye - great, great writing!
2
I think this work is fantastic. Because the artist chooses people over his own ego, he has created something original. He shows us that armed with a camera, one can not only create art, one can create conversation and perhaps hope.
5