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UAL Research Online

Capitaine Can-Can

Bruton, Jo (2005) Capitaine Can-Can. [Art/Design Item]

Type of Research: Art/Design Item
Creators: Bruton, Jo
Description:

‘Capitane Can-Can’ consists of 14 large-scale paintings and installation, part of the exhibition 'Variety' curated by Ian Breakwell and Celia Davies, and commissioned by De La Warr Pavilion as part of their inaugural exhibition and launch of their newly renovated building and gallery space.

The ambition of this project was to map out, identify and theoretically analyse various concerns arising from my own practice as ‘artist’. Particularly investigating the female performer and the spectacle, I sought to address questions of femininity, subjectivity and performativity in relation to the process of painting itself. A key question was whether and how the individual is located within the spectacle, and how this is manifest or made evident in material terms.

As research I visited many burlesque performances (including the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and many in Las Vegas). Through my process of painting, I explored how performance through an experience of light, surface, colour and movement, its inward and outward spectacle, can be translated to the act / process of painting, whilst simultaneously acknowledging the viewers gaze / desire to participate.

Part of the dialogue of the Burlesque satirises the ‘serious subject’, and thrives on the awkward, almost vulnerable act. I drew from the Burlesque performance and the individual creative act.

Key references were:‘A Lover’s Discourse’ by Roland Barthes; ‘The Phenomenology of Perception’ by Maurice Merleau Ponty; and ‘Colette’ by Julia Kristeva.

Using reflective material in the context of the paint itself, and natural light, the works surface addressed the reflective space. Archival material, costume, architecture, publicity material shrouding the burlesque performances, all became references within my works. The large scale of the whole installation was critical in establishing a physical relationship to viewer.

Additional Information (Publicly available):

Current Research

Recent work includes a major commission and site specific painting installation and artist book entitled, 'Capitaine Can Can', for the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea. The exhibition 'Variety' will ran from October 2005 to January 2006 and was accompanied by an exhibition catalogue. In 2004 I was interviewed by Rosa Lee for her essay, 'Threads' in 'Unframed' a book edited by Rosemary Betterton, where my work also features on the front cover. 'Unframed' was also an exhibition and conference at the Standpoint Gallery, London. In 2003, I undertook a residency and exhibition with artist Katie Pratt at Raid Projects in Los Angeles. My work was also included in the LA International Biennale. In 2004 my paintings were included in 'but not as we know it.' a group exhibition at Kontainer Gallery, Los Angeles. Other research includes a solo show and publication in 2002 at Matt's Gallery, London. And group shows, 'Pattern Crazy' in 2002 at the Crafts Council, London and 'Warped, painting and the feminine' an international exhibition and symposium in 2001 at the Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham. This also involved an email dialogue between prominent USA and UK artists, which was published in a catalogue that accompanied the show. My work has also featured in 'Platforms for Art' and is currently on show on London Underground stations.

Your affiliations with UAL: Colleges > Chelsea College of Arts
Date: 15 October 2005
Funders: Arts and Humanities Research Council, Chelsea College of Art and Design, De La Warr Pavilion
Related Websites: http://www.mattsgallery.org/artists/bruton/printportfolio.php
Related Websites:
Locations / Venues:
LocationFrom DateTo Date
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, U.K.20052006
Sadlers' Wells, London2006
Date Deposited: 07 Dec 2009 12:50
Last Modified: 11 Aug 2014 10:54
Item ID: 838
URI: https://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/id/eprint/838

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