由Step Creation Gallery為Affordable Art Fair 2023帶來的法國藝術家Alben，從青少年時期開始收集和儲存物品，他最初被塗鴉所吸引，第一幅畫結合了模版、絲網印刷和郵票創作而成。受到新現實主義，尤其是Arman and César的啟發，他不懈努力地進行樹脂雕塑創作已經超過十年。他對日常物品，尤其是那些被遺棄的物品的迷戀支撐著他的工作。這位藝術家全年都在世界各地的跳蚤市場淘寶，以尋找最理想的藝術創作素材。
Alben, presented by Step Creation Gallery in Affordable Art Fair 2023, has been collecting and accumulating objects since adolescence. First attracted by graffiti, his first paintings combine stencil, screen printing and stamps. Inspired by the new realists and more particularly Arman and César, his work of resin sculptures has been developing for ten years. His fascination with everyday objects and more particularly those that are abandoned underpins his work. The artist travels to flea markets all year round around the world in order to fuel his work.
5 QUESTIONS FOR @ALBENFACTORY
- 為什麼選擇動漫人物作為創作題材？
因為我想選擇自己喜歡的角色。我創作了多種角色，但玩具和動漫始終是我的世界裡重要的組成部分。小時候，我和我們這一代的孩子一樣喜歡看電視。在法國，我也是從電視認識動漫作品，從此產生了熱情。但我的父母後來卻扔掉了我所有的玩具，讓我不再對這一部分的童年有任何實體的記憶。我想它造成了一種創傷，這就是為什麼我試圖透過我的雕塑填補這個縫隙。
- Why do you choose anime characters as the subject matter?
Above all, I choose characters that I like. I work on many kinds of characters but toys and anime are an important part of my universe. When I was little I watched a lot of TV like all the children of my generation. In France I saw the beginnings of manga on television, I was passionate about it. Quickly my parents threw away all my toys, I no longer have any concrete trace of this part of my childhood. I imagine it created a trauma and that’s why I try to fill this gap through my sculptures.
- 最喜歡的創作媒介是什麼？為什麼？
我主要使用樹脂。因為我在航空航天行業工作了15年，這成為我非常熟悉的一種材料。我從小型雕塑開始，多年來設法發展了自己的技術。我現在可以塑造超過2米高的雕塑，例如Venus de Milo。此外，樹脂的透明性讓我可以同時處理其外殻及裡面的容容。這個世界過於規範化和守舊，而我則喜歡玩弄內容和形式之間可能存在的差異。
- What is your favourite medium? What’s the reason behind?
I mainly work with resin. It is a material that I know well since I worked for 15 years in the aerospace industry. I started with small sculptures and over the years I managed to develop my own techniques. I can now mold sculptures more than 2m high, such as the Venus de Milo, for example. Moreover, the transparency of the material allows me to work with both a container and a content. I like to play on the discrepancy that there may be between content and form. By shaking up certainties, I hope to challenge people on a vision of the world that would be too formatted and conventional.
- 有什麼想通過作品來傳達的信息？
我通常不會談論我的雕塑所傳達的信息。當然，我針對很多主題，例如金錢、宗教、消費、暴力、與身體的關係。但是我傾向讓人們基於自身的歷史和敏感度來自行作出演繹，不是說「你明白這就是我的意思」，而我也試圖重新解釋大部份人的一般觀點。
- Is there any message to deliver through your artworks? What is it?
I don’t usually talk about the messages delivered in my sculptures. Of course I tackle a lot of subjects, such as money, religion, consumption, violence, the relationship to bodies for example. However I prefer to let people interpret my sculptures with their history and their sensibility rather than say, “you see that’s what I mean”. I try to reinterpret models that everyone knows.
- 每天的創作靈感來自哪裡？
全部！我的創作是既基於對流行的、宗教的、經典的角色，以至消費社會作出重新詮釋。我走進教堂和走進超市一樣受到啟發！我也會花了很多時間在跳蚤市場裡。每當我來到一個國家，也會試圖通過當地的垃圾來定義一個社會。
- What is your daily inspiration?
All! My speech is based both on a reinterpretation of popular, religious, classic icons… and on the consumer society. I am inspired as much by walking into a church as I am into a supermarket! I spend a lot of time at flea markets too. I love arriving in a country and trying to define a society through the prism of garbage.
- 不創作的時候會做什麼？
我作為藝術家的生活幾乎佔據了所有的時間。其實我一直很喜歡古董，我收集、儲存了很多東西（從別針到汽車，還有黑膠唱片、玩具、洗衣袋等等）。我的工作也讓我可以合理地在跳蚤市場裡消磨光陰。我每天都在工作室工作，如果我不在，那是因為我去了海外辦展覽。由於我也是我女兒的父親，所以會試著花一些時間和家人在一起，但是我的藝術家角色還是吞噬了我的生活，所以她經常來我的工作室看我！
- What do you do when not creating artworks?
My life as an artist takes up almost all my time. In reality, I have always liked antiquing, I collect and I accumulate a lot of things (This goes from pins to cars, including vinyls, toys, laundry packets, etc.) My job allows me to legitimize this life past at flea markets! I am in my studio every day of the week and when I am not there it is because I have gone on a trip for my exhibitions. I am also the father of a little girl so I try to spend some time with my family but once again my life as an artist is devouring. She often comes to see me in my studio!
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR 2023
VIP Preview(by invitation only):
Thursday, 18 May, 1pm–4pm
Public Opening Hours:
Friday, 19 May, 11am–9pm
Saturday, 20 May, 12pm–7pm
Sunday, 21 May, 12pm–7pm
Venue:
Hall 1D-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
TICKETING
VIP & All Access Pass: HK$320
General Admission: HK$180
Family Morning (min purchase 2 tickets or above): HK$165
Concession (senior citizens aged 65 or above and full-time students): HK$135
Purchase Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/affordable-art-fair-hong-kong-2023-18-21-may-tickets-510471111837?aff=PR