Press Release

“The Uses of Pornographic Images in Art”
with Paul Ardenne and Clarisse Hahn
Debate (6/6)
Tuesday 18 May 2004

“At a time when contemporary art is making massive use of figures of sexuality, it seems like a good time to take a look at the low sexual imagery of pornography.” So began a long article on “The Pornographic Image” published by Paul Ardenne in the magazine Omnibus in July 1996.
Today, the use of pornographic images in art continues to raise questions.

Paul Ardenne holds an agrégation in history and a doctorate in art history, and lectures at the Université Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens. His books include Art, l’âge contemporain (1997), L’Image corps (2001), Un Art contextuel (2002) and Codex Ricciotti (2003). He contributes to the magazines art press, L’Œil and Archistorm, and co-curated the exhibition Micropolitiques at Le Magasin in 2000.

Artist Clarisse Hahn (born 1973) lives and works in Paris. In her films Hôpital (1999), Ovidie (2000) and Karima (2002) she probes the limits of the body: “Going beyond the voyeuristic quest for ‘transparency’ and sociological registering of the objectification of being, C. Hahn produces works whose artistic composition casts light on that which escapes the rule: the humanity of the other.” (from a text by Marie Brugerolle written on the occasion of C. H.’s exhibition at the Mamco, Geneva, in 20002) Karima (1h38’) shows a young woman of Algerian origin, whom the artist filmed over a period of a year. This documentary shows Karima with her family and friends, or during domination sessions. Karima’s practice of SM with her friends has a generous, maternal side to it. Karima is being shown at Le Magasin on Monday 17 May (16:00) and Tuesday 18 May (17:00).