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KRANCINANIN-RANCINANNEW YORK

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

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RANCINANINNEWYORKRANCINANINNEWYORKFOREWARD

Opera Gallery is proud to present the inaugural exhibition of the artist Gérard Rancinan’s photographs in New York. His work takes on an ambitious scale, continuously fascinating the audience with socially satirical visions, vibrant and prolific protagonists, and a perpetually challenging use of symbolism.

By using iconic figures, such as Mickey Mouse, John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe in surreal settings, the observer comes into contact with a strange universe. It is here where modern idols live in unparalleled freedom. This world is a contemporary mirror, where what is shown are the many faults of our society, our constant need for entertainment, our obsession with youth and our collective reach for unrealistic happiness.

While Rancinan’s images are simultaneously shocking, dynamic and thought-provoking, his social commentary on what could be a troubling reality is an eye opening experience for the viewer. Rancinan in New York takes the viewers hand and brings them into the artist’s enigmatic and provocative world.

Eric AllouchePresident

Opera Gallery New York

Gilles DyanFounder and ChairmanOpera Gallery Group

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RANCINANINNEWYORKRANCINANINNEWYORKGérard Rancinan’s work can be compared to no other. Labeled as fine art photography, the artist’s profession is also his means of expression and commitment. Rancinan’s photographs are not merely conditioned reflexes.

They are the very instruments of his thought-process, sensitive views of the world we live in and recognized forms of contemporary art. Rancinan breaks with the conventional world of photography in order to follow a road that, although not solitary, remains unique.

Although his photographs are always inspired by the reality of our world nowadays, they are so much more than the mere face value representation of such a reality. Rancinan’s works are poetic propositions, fragments of an enlightened vision of our times.

The artist likes to start with a more classic inspiration - from Velázquez to Géricault - combining it with the influence of his encounters with Robert Rauschenberg or Paul McCarthy; the result is the production of pre-meditated creations for which Rancinan alone holds the secret.

Entering this surprising universe amounts to accepting the risk of discovering something new, to look elsewhere while the world’s gaze continues in more orthodox directions. Every photograph of the artist’s creation is a punch to the gut, void of any stylish effect. Each of the artist’s exhibitions is an exploration of destabilization, from which one never emerges unscathed, but always stronger.

PRESENTATION

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Born in the Bordeaux region (France), Gérard Rancinan travels the globe, bearing first hand witness to events of historical importance. Natural catastrophes, civil and ethnic wars, and urban riots…he comes face to face with the complexity of the human condition and the random events by which it is fashioned.His imperious need for self-expression leads him to focus on the world’s most important issues. He delivers startling images filtered through an ever-evolving aesthetic prism.

Constantly breaking down barriers, he is, by turn, an investigator deconstructing the great sagas of contemporary life, and a portraitist. His photographs of athletes, artists, ecclesiastics and politicians have become iconic. His images have earned him a number of prizes, including four prestigious World Press Awards.

Following his domain of predilection, in the “Trilogy of the Moderns” he becomes the wakeful observer of his contemporaries. This marginal perspective involves real mises en scène, veritable simulacra of the world in which we live.

Internationally renowned, Gérard Rancinan’s work is exhibited in the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums and is featured in the most important contemporary art collections. During a recent Étude Millon auction at Drouot (2008), Gérard Rancinan became one of the highest ranked photographers in France. He is a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

BIOGRAPHY

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METABearing active witn ess tothe great upheaval s of humanity...

PHOSESMOR Bearing active witn ess tothe great upheaval s of humanity...

09METAMORPHOSIS I – THE RAFT OF ILLUSIONSArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

217 x 320 cm – 85.4 x 126 in. Edition of 1 + EA

METAMORPHOSIS II – FREEDOM UNVEILED Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 150 x 202 cm – 59.1 x 79.5 in. Edition of 410 METAMORPHOSIS III – THE GARDEN OF DELIRIUM Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 60 x 100 cm – 23.6 x 39.4 in. Edition of 5

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13METAMORPHOSIS IV – THE BIG SUPPERArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3

METAMORPHOSIS VI – LAS MENINASArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 234 cm – 70.9 x 92.1 in. Edition of 3

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17METAMORPHOSIS VII – THE DANCE OR THE ELEGY OF THE SACREDArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

150 x 218 cm – 59.1 x 85.8 in. Edition of 4

19METAMORPHOSIS XI - DECADENCEArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

235 x 470 cm - 92.5 x 185 in. Edition of 1 + EA

HYPOTHESES

Bubbles of thought preserved against the obliteration of our memory...

HYPOTHESIS VI – THE THREE GRACESArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3

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AWORLDWONDERFUL

Life is one big amusement park…

WONDERFUL

A WONDERFUL WORLD – ON THE WAY BACK FROM DISNEYLAND (previous page)Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame235 x 450 cm – 92.5 x 177.2 in. Edition of 1 + EA

A WONDERFUL WORLD – AMERICAN SAN SEBASTIAN IIArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

75 x 100 cm – 29.5 x 39.4 in. Edition of 8

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 330 A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY GIRLS Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 3

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY PORTRAITS AND THE TWIN NURSES - 2084Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame125 x 180 cm – 49.2 x 70.9 in. Edition of 8

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – SALOMÉ IN WONDERLANDArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – SALOMÉ IN WONDERLAND, DETAIL IIArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – DESPERATE MARILYNArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 231 cm – 70.9 x 90.9 in. Edition of 3

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A WONDERFUL WORLD – FAMILY WATCHING TV Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 238 cm – 70.9 x 93.7 in. Edition of 340 41A WONDERFUL WORLD – OUR SOLDIERS SAVE OUR VALUES Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 3

43A WONDERFUL WORLD – “LE BANQUET DES IDOLES”Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3

PORTRAITS

From a simple portrait toa unique artistic performance

MARIE Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 170 x 140 cm – 66.9 x 55.1 in. Edition of 846 47FRANKO B Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 178 cm – 70.9 x 70.1 in. Edition of 3

48 PIERRE ET GILLES Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 77 x 76 cm – 30.3 x 29.9 in. Studio proof49PAUL McCARTHY Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3

BALTHUS Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 150 x 150 cm – 59.1 x 59.1 in. Edition of 650 51ZHANG HUAN Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 265 cm – 70.9 x 104.3 in. Edition of 3

52 MING IN GREY, RED, WHITE – TRIPTYCH VARIANT IIArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame3 x 180 x 180 cm – 3 x 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3

54 MING IN WARArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame180 x 270 cm – 70.9 x 106.3 in. Edition of 3

DAVID LACHAPELLEArgentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame70 x 70 cm – 27.6 x 27.6 in. Edition of 12

57ADRIANA (following page)Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame

120 x 180 cm – 47.2 x 70.9 in. Edition of 6

SPECIMENS

The vanity of man to changethe world to fit his image

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SPECIMEN #2877Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 25

SPECIMEN #2868Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 25

SPECIMEN #2850Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 8

64 SPECIMEN #2789Argentic print mounted on plexiglassin artist’s frame 180 x 227 cm – 70.9 x 89.4 in. Edition of 3

65SPECIMEN #2417Argentic print mounted on plexiglass

in artist’s frame 180 x 227 cm – 70.9 x 89.4 in. Edition of 3

67SPECIMEN #2847Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 25

SPECIMEN #2350Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 25

SPECIMEN #2839Fine Art print, white wood frame

40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.Edition of 25

THE CREATIVE

PROCESS Work is life, work is my life

WHATTHEPAPERSSAY!

RANCINANWORLDWIDE TOUR

COMING SOON…

RANCINAN IN NEW YORKOCTOBER 2012RANCINAN IN MILANMAY 2012RANCINAN IN SINGAPOURMARCH 2012RANCINAN IN HONG KONGNOVEMBER 2011

RANCINAN IN LONDONSEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2011RANCINAN IN PARISMARCH 2011RANCINAN IN GENEVANOVEMBER 2010

RANCINAN IN MIAMI5 TO 9 DECEMBER 2012RANCINAN IN DUBAI2013RANCINAN IN SEOUL2013