The exhibition "Reves d´architectures" will bring together artists who incorporate in their approach a reflection on architecture and resume their work in various stages of development of an architectural project from design to completion, from the plan to the model and the construction also.

The exhibition will be a trip through the architectural codes and question the required and the complex relation between architecture (as the visual arts) and the concept of the project, between utopia and reality. The fantasized figure of the architect  will appear in watermark throughout the course without that we can associate a real personality. If you sometimes will detect evocations of the great names in architecture, achievements or iconic styles defined, it will remain in a state of latency, with the idea of a presence almost ghostly.

Artists: Simon Boudvin, Vincent Ganivet, Rémy Jacquier, Bertrand Lamarche, Laurent Mareschal, Wesley Meuris, Eden Morfaux, Estefania Penafiel Loaiza, Eve Pietruschi Emmanuel Regent Andrea Sala, Benjamin Sabatier, Veit Stratmann, Wilson Found Morgane Tschiember.

EXTENTED UNTIL MAY 19

From March 6, to April 20, Otto Zoo will present Steel and Freedom, an exhibition curated by the New York-based curator Lara Pan featuring works of Wilfrid Almendra, Milène Guermont, Roberta Lima and Benjamin Sabatier.

The exhibition concept starts by posing some questions. Most economic theories insist on treating labor as a commodity, which brings to mind the concept of supply and demand. What can be introduced to this concept to allow the world to seem more human? What critical statement can be made about cultural and social reality and its evolution in the future? The works of these four artists embody the synchronization of our perceptions, and define processes going on in the world. They look at society by combining aesthetic, economic, political, and spiritual perspectives.

The artists in the exhibition respond to the global, economic and social models, by expressing a new visual language through the process of reconfiguration. There is sometimes a confrontation between visual language, economic disorder and transformational processes, which attempts to identify and determine social, political and cultural structures in urban reality. 

Three works of Benjamin Sabatier will be presented, Tréteaux II, Trépieds and Beam, which are sculptures constructed using metal, concrete, granite and wood.

For further information : www.ottozoo.com

Charity auction to the benefit of the NGO "Des Villages et des Hommes".

75 contemporary artists, such as Benjamin Sabatier, are helping Madagascar. Using as their base materials doors and shutters hand-carved by Zafimaniry people from the high plateaux of Madagascar, they have created 75 works that invite us to look at Zafimaniry culture side by side with contemporary art. All proceeds from the sale of these works will go to help disadvantaged populations living on less than one US dollar a day. The inhabitants of the village of Antoetra, the source of Zafimaniry expertise, will thus have access to water, health, education and a dignified environment that respects their culture.

These doors and shutters hand-carved by the Zafimaniry are being exhibited in France for the first time. The skills of Zafimaniry sculptors have been placed by UNESCO since 2008 on the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Exhibition at Christie´s Paris from January 19, to January 30, and Auctions on January 30, 8.00 PM.

For further information : www.christies.com

" Do It Yourself est une manière d´inviter chacun à devenir artiste. "

Benjamin Sabatier

Artist of action, Benjamin Sabatier insists in his social approach of art on the importance of "matter" and on the involvement of the viewer. He joined in it Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys. Also spiritual son of Keith Haring and of the Support / Surface group, all these influences make his work unusual and exploding. In Do It Yourself de A à Z, published by Editions Jannink in the collection "L´art en écrit", he shells over the alphabet the founding principles of his work. As he sizes of pencils during 35 h, creates the production structure of works in kit IBK based on Ikea´s running, seizes labor history or deploys sculptural work marked by an aesthetic of the yard, he asked repeatedly the concept of work.

Published in 285 copies, included an original sculpture, signed and unique.

To order Do It Youself de A à Z on the Editions Jannink website:

www.editions-jannink.com

Art Sheffield and The University of Sheffield are collaborating on a new series of participatory symposia and workshops reflecting on art in the city. The aim is to generate debate around different aspects of contemporary art practice. It is intended that these discussions will feed into the planning and rationale for the next Art Sheffield Festival, which will be launched in October 2013 and will cohere around the central theme of new and old models of social and civic participation and work.

The first symposium, to be held at the University of Sheffield on Friday 29th June, will provide an opportunity for contributors from a wide range of interests and backgrounds relating to this broad field of enquiry to tease out strands to be used as ‘provocateurs’ that, over the course of the next year, will encourage debate and dialogue.

The symposium will adopt a non-traditional format, interspersing speakers with performances, readings, screenings, a city walk and a collaborative roundtable discussion. As part of the programme, we will also be offering a free lunchtime picnic, during which participants will have the opportunity to meet and talk informally. The resulting content will be documented and available online.

Paper Jam #2 is a call to contribution to artists, graphic designers and curators invited to participate in an exhibition with a peculiar mode of presentation and circulation.
The result of the call to contributions are assembled, forwarded and then printed out on the office printers of each partner venue - an evolving and heterogeneous list of galleries, art institutions and independent spaces - in Europe and beyond.
The pile of A4 printouts, produced each time in one singel copy, is made available to the visitors who remain free to simply have a look or take a sample home - until stock lasts.
Paper Jam #2 is initated by Charlotte Seidel and Emile Ouroumov.