"Launching a rift": shaping actions... and feelings
Fearless Pioneer of Quebec Kinetic Art - Joëlle Morosoli's Career on Display
Ever since the '80s, when the realm of sculpture transcended just being a symbol of masculinity, Joëlle Morosoli, a groundbreaking force in the kinetic art scene of Quebec, has been making waves. The exhibition "Ouvrir une brèche" at the Alfred-Pellan room in Laval showcases her impressive, yet often overlooked, career. Despite being barely recognized by major institutions, Joëlle stands tall as a trailblazer.
"Ouvrir une brèche" may not be the "great retrospective" promised, featuring only eight works, with only one created before 2000. Still, it presents a solid overview of her innovative ideas revolving around "giving form to movement." In 2021, another exhibition at the Claude-Léveil-lée Cultural Center in Montreal displayed 22 works under the title "Fragments retrospectifs."
The latest "retrospective" stands out due to its showcasing of large, final sculptures. Unlike before, there are no fragments, maquettes, or small pieces, resulting in a surprising and immersive experience. The atmosphere is a chaotic yet ordered paradox that suits Joëlle's signature style.
However, the visual pollution in "Ondulations/Colibri" (1988-2023) obscures the appreciation and message of the artwork. The documentary-style video added to the structure conflicts with the subtlety of the sound contamination caused by the multiple mechanisms. Nonetheless, the decibels contribute to the immersive nature of the exhibition.
Joëlle Morosoli strives to express emotions through movement, borrowing elements from abstract language, such as optical effects, repetition of lines, and grids. The intrusion or invasion accompanying "Ombres sous tension" (2011) comes from winged forms that reach out as they move away from the wall. Yet, like all her works, it embodies a cycle of opposite sensations - expansion followed by contraction and tension relieved by relaxation.
Serge Fisette, a renowned supporter of three-dimensional art, believed Joëlle Morosoli's kinetic works would provoke "intense emotional states." In a reference book on feminine sculpture ("La sculpture et le vent," 2004), he wrote that creating from emotions results in movement, instability.
The exhibits are not accompanied by a publication, but Joëlle Morosoli's work is showcased in a recent monograph by Sagamie editions ("L'art en mouvement"), which also includes her public art projects.
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Intrigued? Dive into the world of Quebec's art scene now and let your mind be captivated by the moving installations of Joëlle Morosoli. Keep exploring to see what else the museums of Quebec have in store for art enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
Engage with the dynamic and thought-provoking home-and-garden installations of Joëlle Morosoli, a visionary artist in the Quebec kinetic art scene, as you delve deeper into the rich cultural landscape of Quebec. Discover her unique lifestyle and artistic culture in various museum exhibits, such as "Ouvrir une brèche" and "Fragments retrospectifs," that showcase her innovative work.
