What

PLAY THE CARDS is an artistic project that combines photography with painting. This project has been developing and taking shape for the last few years in my mind… and now it can be brought to life thanks to supporters like you!

Concept

I have been attracted to the symbols on playing cards since I was a child. My grandmother used to host long lasting bridge parties with her friends around a table full of little Hungarian pastries and tea. Inspired by the playing cards’ aesthetic, I would like to explore their symbolical meanings and limits through different forms that express artistic tension, superimposition, juxtaposition, mirror effects and playing with the settled codes. The objective is to create 20 tangible artwork over the course of one month that combines painting coupage and my own photography. These works will be exhibited in Paris on my return.

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Why

Tension has a double meaning in this project and applied to the essence of playing cards highlights a paradox. Playing cards are meant to be social, to bring people together, to exchange, to share.

Playing with visual tension is a way for me to express a kind of social discordance. The unbalanced composition of my artwork, the optical effects, and the visual illusions created bring about a socio-cultural reflection and questions our social relationships.

Genesis

The concept took time to develop and has already gone through many iterations throughout :

my travels by foot, plane, horse, bike,

my soul-searching,

unfinished creations,

useless selfies,

obsessive museum visits,

unexpected encounters,

sleepless nights,

doubts,

criticisms,

failed efforts,

tears

and laughter

…before now finally getting to realize my dream project!

CRAZY!

Below, you will find a short video illustrating the birth of this idea from the “chaos” of it’s origins. Thanks again to all of you who shared these fabulous moments with me!

Where/When

I am planning to realize the first series of 20 pieces in NYC during a one-month period this September.

Why NYC?

Well, there are several reasons!

First, it is a symbolic city for me as it is the first city that I ever visited across the Atlantic; I was all by myself and only 17 years old. Full of energy and dynamic, NYC inspires me and I am sure to meet people interested by this project who are also willing to participate in the photographic portion. As it will be just after NYC Fashion Week, it will be the perfect time to meet an interesting face, a personality, an expression, an attitude to enhance my artistic project on just about any street corner.

I will capture and share the emotional aspect with you and will keep you updated regularly via my blog about the progress of my work…and my adventures…

The exhibition will take place in Paris between December 2014 and January 2015 according to the gallery’s schedule.

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I need your support!

Today, I am very happy and honored to share my art project with you and I would be more than thankful if you could help me to realize it with a small donation that will allow me to fully explore the concept and bring it to life!

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PLAY THE CARDS – Participez à la réalisation du projet artistique de Julia.