‘PULSE’ — Solo presentation by Léo Fourdrinier at laxolotl

PULSE

Léo Fourdrinier

At L’ axolotl, Toulon, France

Pulse is an evolving exhibition in three chapters:

Pulse personal exhibition, Léo Fourdrinier – 1 february – 2 may 2020

Pulse /ˈsɪstəm/ – collective exhibition – 20 march – 2 may 2020

Pulse soundtrack – disquaire day – 18 april 2020

For his first solo exhibition entitled «Pulse» at L’axolotl Cabinet De Curiosités gallery, Léo Fourdrinier presents a new series of works created during, sciences and new technologies residency led by Le port des créateurs . He worked in correspondence with Arthur Le Saux, researcher at the Astrophysics Group of Exeter University in England.

«A subject that does not give rise to psychological ambivalence cannot find its poetic double that allows endless transpositions. There must therefore be a double participation» (Gaston Bachelard).

Since 2012, a group of researchers has been trying to identify a certain type of star with an anomaly in its luminous oscillation. This missing vibration frequency interrupts the linearity of the light variation. Stars with this anomaly are called «depressed stars», as opposed to the normal «laughing stars». The identification and classification of «depressed stars» will allow us to determine the consequences of such an anomaly on their functioning and their lifetime.

A single voice, especially that of the critic, would not be enough to speak about Léo Fourdrinier, so vast is his practice, so schizophrenic. This is why this text about him – which tries not to be too eloquent – contains quotations to help us draw its outlines. We could present him as a sculptor, but that would lock him into a box when he is not really definable. Even so, what is Léo Fourdrinier’s work called?

All his pieces resonate with intensity, fury, fiery impulse. His production is a veritable race towards the celestial steppes… But let’s remain measured. One would ask him to slow down so as not to fail physically. By his own admission, it is by not constantly creating that he feels himself sinking into the void. His process is thus therapeutic. He has no choice but to breathe his creative act… But let’s be reasonable. Calm is restored by reading his poetic titles. The meaning that one could give to his different stages of creation can be divided into several strata: the synchronous idea, the object-action, the serendipity.

— Bertrand Riou, May 2019.
Text written as part of the residency
GENERATOR #5 – March 2019 40mcube (Rennes).