LES PRÉSENTS RELATIFS
1997, Contemporary Art Centre Rueil, France and Quartiers Ephemeres Montreal, Canada
Curators: Francois Dion and Pierre Jean Sugier
Eating and drinking: Frédérique Decombe’s work is a special encounter with someone willing to comb out her own 'étrangeté'. Above all, one might keep in mind the scenography of the whole project, which inevitably leads one to wonder what she is doing (bar, poster, sale, video). The richness of her artistic project concurs with this impression. A meticulous semantic work:The objects displayed constitute a virtuoso work, often based on language itself. The methodology is tireless and manifold: de-coagulation, hybridisation, displacement, inversion, diversion, dispersion, rebounding, contagion, language-play, shifts in meaning... some objects may be re-used, transformed or used for their original functions, as for example with the Thermos. Aiming at new intentions is a way to overturn paradigms and unmask illusions.Senses lead to meanings: Frédérique Decombe transgresses anatomical boundaries and creates new ones. She sticks fragile, ready-to-wear 'bait' to various parts of the body - like the dress made with hair and cable-ties, or the mesh of hair and bee’s wax worn by a metallic leg. These fetishistic accessories cover up as much as they reveal, preserving the body while laying bare its hidden side. A simple illustration of the motion is to imagine the skin pulled out and immediately replaced. Consider Dos de femme, the latest piece, which evokes a sort of organic cloth.This obsession to turn gloves inside out reveals a relationship between the pleasure of feeling the hand slipping in, and the desire to figure out what is happening inside the being. One needs to adjust the meanings to the senses. 'Senses lead to meanings' as Frédérique Decombe likes to say. This is made clear with: Enfilez le pied, déroulez, ajustez; a ready-made in words that acts as a remote echo to “How I Have Written Some Of My Books” by Raymond Roussel. The value of exchange: Most of Frédérique Decombe’s pieces are invitations to her audience. The relationship or the encounter is a principle she tries to develop. She can create a pendant-tifs (a medallion of your hair) made to order, or translate your secret message into langues de chat braille (wax finger biscuits printed with Braille). Meaning and interpretation are part of the exchange and must be conducted within the language that has structured these pieces (here in French, written and spoken). Frédérique Decombe is a bee worker who puts her savoir-faire at your service to make objects or create sense. You just have to place an order.
Text by: Didier Boone in Exhibition catalogue: LES PRESENTS RELATIFS, C.A.C., Rueil, 07-10/1997 and Quartiers Ephémères, Montreal, 12/1997- 01/1998