Loris Greaud is exactly what is
expected of artists. He remains a mystery that defies modern expectations by
refusing to provide details that would make any complete biography possible.
His unwillingness to display his past, his preferences and anything other than
his desire to create make him undefinable. This leaves his critics and fans
alike to concentrate only on his projects rather than his persona. What is
known is that Loris Greaud was born in Eaubonne, France on February 7th, 1979
and it is rumored he was expelled at the age of fourteen from a music
conservatory. The reason for the expulsion is said to have been due to his
creation of a studio of his own where students would be instructed in
"musical unlearning". The rest of what people determine about the
conceptual artist typically comes only from the work he displays.
Loris Greaud is not interested in providing museum-goers and art enthusiasts with exhibitions. His work is kept alone, isolated from other artists. The shows are labeled as projects and the depth of their uniqueness came into focus with "Silence goes more quickly when played backwards", his 2005 solo entry at the Plateau in Paris. The entire gallery space became a storybook where two narrative video productions led guests through an interactive experience.
Palais de Tokyo in Paris provided the space for a 2008 project titled "Cellar Door". The sculptural story converted 40,000 square feet into a universe entirely of the artist's making. Guests were provided with something to activate all of their senses as they journeyed through three attractions called bubbles. The show traveled to other museums with the layout and experiences changing at every destination.
Loris Greaudhas brought his vision to viewers across the world through his immersive projects and as a filmmaker. In his most recent project, he collaborates with Willem Dafoe in a film called "Sculpt". Dafoe masterfully narrates the complex production and portrays the main character. The 45-minute film is more of an experience than a movie with the entire project tinged in bright red and black and an original score by The Residents lingering hauntingly in the back. The film is not expected to be a summer blockbuster. In true Loris Greaud style, it was screened in a 600-seat theater with all but one seat removed. Viewers were meant to experience the project alone but even as this unusual event took place Greaud delivered pirated DVDs to people waiting in line and publicly stated at the following Q & A that it would be available online with the help of net pirates.
Loris Greaudproduces work that is dark. Not just in its mood but literally. Many settings are almost too dark for proper viewing. Maybe that is the point - to make people search for the details and to make up what remains in the shadows for themselves. After all, nothing is more sensual, moving or terrifying to someone than what they imagine in their own minds.
Loris Greaud attended the National School of Arts Paris-Cergy and the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris. He is a recipient of the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. These credentials do nothing to explain who he is and what motivates him. Perhaps the answer to that was already provided by Greaud himself when he said, "My works have always been about heterotopia and testing the potential to crash into reality." Perhaps each project he designs is meant to make the observer crash into what Loris Greaud sees as reality.
Loris Greaud is not interested in providing museum-goers and art enthusiasts with exhibitions. His work is kept alone, isolated from other artists. The shows are labeled as projects and the depth of their uniqueness came into focus with "Silence goes more quickly when played backwards", his 2005 solo entry at the Plateau in Paris. The entire gallery space became a storybook where two narrative video productions led guests through an interactive experience.
Palais de Tokyo in Paris provided the space for a 2008 project titled "Cellar Door". The sculptural story converted 40,000 square feet into a universe entirely of the artist's making. Guests were provided with something to activate all of their senses as they journeyed through three attractions called bubbles. The show traveled to other museums with the layout and experiences changing at every destination.
Loris Greaudhas brought his vision to viewers across the world through his immersive projects and as a filmmaker. In his most recent project, he collaborates with Willem Dafoe in a film called "Sculpt". Dafoe masterfully narrates the complex production and portrays the main character. The 45-minute film is more of an experience than a movie with the entire project tinged in bright red and black and an original score by The Residents lingering hauntingly in the back. The film is not expected to be a summer blockbuster. In true Loris Greaud style, it was screened in a 600-seat theater with all but one seat removed. Viewers were meant to experience the project alone but even as this unusual event took place Greaud delivered pirated DVDs to people waiting in line and publicly stated at the following Q & A that it would be available online with the help of net pirates.
Loris Greaudproduces work that is dark. Not just in its mood but literally. Many settings are almost too dark for proper viewing. Maybe that is the point - to make people search for the details and to make up what remains in the shadows for themselves. After all, nothing is more sensual, moving or terrifying to someone than what they imagine in their own minds.
Loris Greaud attended the National School of Arts Paris-Cergy and the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris. He is a recipient of the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. These credentials do nothing to explain who he is and what motivates him. Perhaps the answer to that was already provided by Greaud himself when he said, "My works have always been about heterotopia and testing the potential to crash into reality." Perhaps each project he designs is meant to make the observer crash into what Loris Greaud sees as reality.
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