Isabelle Cornaro: Paysage avec Poussin, South London Gallery

South London Gallery has joined forces with Spike Island, Bristol, to present a two part solo exhibition by French artist Isabelle Cornaro.
Isabelle Cornaro’s CV is impressive. Winner of the prestigious Prix Ricard 2010, she has exhibited at the Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Palais de Tokyo, the Kunsthalle Bern and Sculpture Center, New York. Coming from an academic art historical background in 16^th century European Mannerism, Cornaro works in a number of different mediums to explore how culture and history change our perception of reality.
South London Gallery exhibition
This new London art show presents the latest large-scale installation by Cornaro entitled Paysage avec Poussin et témoins oculaires(version VI), which first came to life in 2008. Each installment takes a classical landscape painting by 17th century painter Nicolas Poussin as its starting point, and provides a three dimensional interpretation. Found objects are displayed on wooden plinths and pedestals, and arranged to paraphrase Poussin’s landscapes. The objects, which Cornaro sourced from flea markets, are all meticulously organised, prompting the viewer to reevaluate the aesthetic and cultural values they embody.
We are also looking forward to seeing two of Cornaro’s short films, Figures (2011) and Premier Rêve d'Oskar Fischinger (2008) which pays homage to the German abstract filmmaker Oskar Fischinger. Taking different objects associated with Fischinger, Cornaro uses close-ups and lighting effects to distort and emphasise their ambiguity.
A visit to Cornaro’s carefully considered films is a must if you are looking for things to do in South London.
Isabelle Cornaro will be in conversation with Briony Fer, art historian, curator, writer and professor of History of Art at UCL, at the South London Gallery until 5 April 2015. Click here to book your place.