Alex Israel “Summer 2” exhibition at Almine Rech Gallery, Paris

Summer 2 is the sequel of multimedia artist Alex Israel’s previous exhibition at Almine Rech Gallery (June 13 – July 25, 2015) Summer. Israel‘s work explores his surroundings, including popular media and the hollywood industry with an intent to question American culture. The artist’s spirit animal is the pelican which can be found up and down the coast of California, Israel’s homeland. A sculpture of the bird created in collaboration with designer Michael Curry is exhibited all by itself in a room, and its flight can be manually activated by the viewers by pulling a string which triggers the animal’s eyelids to start blinking, and its wings to flap.

Featured on the exhibition are Israel‘s new self-portrait sculptures, embodying wetsuits, an emblem of Los angeles most popular sports. The pieces are a cast of Alex‘s body, making them evocative of classical statues and lost civilizations through its inhumane quality.

On view until July, 29th 2017 at Almine Rech Gallery, 64 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris.

Photo Inès Manai