jan fabre: greek gods in a body landscape at glasstress 2011

jan fabre: greek gods in a body landscape at glasstress 2011
‘greek gods in a body-landscape’ by jan fabre at glasstress 2011
image © designboom

belgian artist jan fabre presents his work, ‘greek gods in a body-landscape’ at glasstress 2011, a collateral event of the 54th venice biennale. filled with glass balls, turtles and body parts, this theatrical installation examines human corporeality through the lens of greek mythology. visitors are invited to walk through the room, with a path on its wooden floor marked by textured spheres of blue and transparent glass. turtles are incorporated throughout the landscape, with one confronting a human skull at the center and two glass casts of a human digestive system suspended in opposite ends the room. a self-described ‘theatre-maker,’ fabre creates work across disciplines of film, choreography and performance. attracted to the study of nature and the sciences, he examines in this set-like production the process of metamorphosis, as it is embodied by mankind and all living creatures.

installation view image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

digestive system detailimage © designboom

having first worked with blue glass when producing pigeons for a 2008 exhibition at the louvre,  fabre created a particular ‘bic blue’ to coat the different glass surfaces in this installation.  a short video of the installation process can be viewed here.

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glasstress is a collateral event of the 54th international venice biennale, which is now in its second year after it debuted in 2009.  conceived by adriano berengo, the contemporary art exhibition collaborates with prominent artists and designers from around the  world to showcase their talent and creative expressions.