31/10/2023
A.I. 010 - Artificial Interfaces - ReiNarDus 2023
Embroidery on wood/engraved perspex - 80 x 115 cm - framed
This (A.I.) Artificial Interfaces series is a continuation of the Human Nature series in which portraits were distilled from old paintings of landscapes and still lifes from the last century.
This time, the basis of the portraits is an embroidered version of a famous tapestry. An embroidery is already a kind of analog, digital version of the original due to the grid technique. In addition, ReiNarDus is particularly charmed by the back of these embroidered versions where, through the numerous, invisible connections of the loose ends, you seem to be looking at a kind of electronic circuit board. He sees that circuit board as a kind of interface that makes a human interpretation between the original artwork and the contemporary view of art. A visual metaphor about the translation of man’s culture through art.
In no. 010, we find a tapestry design from the 16th century with aristoloches decor. These tapestries were made in a region of France known for its decorative use of lush greenery with palms, cabbage leaves, trees and shrubs. And in addition to the frequent use of graphic leaf shapes (e.g. cabbage leaves and palm trees, they also featured many exotic animals (peacocks and ostriches, squirrels and pheasants,...).
Their highly decorative quality was appreciated until the early 17th century: they covered the perimeter of a room’s walls and formed a kind of “green room”, creating a soothing and entertaining atmosphere through their imagination.