Global  Project

 I began sculpture and visual art as a self-learned artist a few years ago. My work was spotted by the association “Art et Culture Méditerranée” during one of my exhibitions for “El hand’Art” organized by Emmanuel Hunault in June 2005 at the Corum in Montpellier.

I will be exhibiting my works of art from 1 to 31 July at the Banque Populaire du Sud located at the Place de la Comédie. I have chosen this location to intice people to come to an unusual place for an exhibition.

The theme chosen for the exhibition is called “Fraternity” and deals with the notion of different peoples. (see : « Exposition Personnelle Fraternité»)

Exposition "Esprit" August 2005 - Salle IZZO - Frontignan( France)

This project is supported by Jack Lang, the Council of  Montpellier, the Council of Frontignan, the professional association of craft industry and many other local companies and associations such as FENMA (Fédération Nationale des Métiers d’Art), CNAMS, EFS-PM  (l’Etablissement Français du Sang Pyrénées-Méditerranée).

The artist Mohamed Lekleti kindly agreed to be my sponsor on this occasion. To help publicise my work to a wider audience, I am organizing two special events. (see : « Ils ont soutenu le projet »)

Isn’t it natural to meet birds on a place such as La Place de la Comédie whose shape is that of an egg?

The first performance will be named as follows:
 

                  “Pigeons at the heart of the square,

                                                          Swallows on the streetcar,

                                                                                                A dove for peace.”
 

It will consist of exhibiting large white sculptures on the square buildings’ balconies.(see: « Performance sur les balcons ») They will be visible at an angle of 360 degrees around the square for the whole month of July. The square will give the exhibition another dimension since the works will be between 0,7 and 1 meter long. They will be emphasized by pennants on guardrails which will be used as virtual pedestals to make them look bigger. 17 works of the first performance have already been completed and a few more are to come in July.

The second performance will take place on 1^st July for the inauguration ceremony. Everybody is invited to come round dressed in white so as to make the event as fun as possible. The harmony of colour will help to stress the virginity of the works of art on that very day. (see : «  Happening, le jour J »)

At 4 o’clock pm, Doves will be released to start the event.

At 5 pm I intend to do an event called “life support”. 200 white t-shirts with an egg-shaped drawing will be sold and signed by me. People on the square will be asked to dress in white and get together so as to form the ovoid shape of the square. The painting will be photographed from above using an airship. The photograph will immortalize the event.

At 6 pm, a reception will be given to thank people for their participation, thanks to the contribution of the “Cave Coopérative des Muscats de Frontignan”. At the same time, lots will be drawn and one of my works “Prize of peace” will be to be won at the lottery (see : presale and terms and conditions). I will publish the air photo on the internet for free access (all commercial rights reserved)

All the t-shirts and “Prize of peace” are for sale and will help raise funds against AIDS and different associations.

So please come and bring as many friends as you like, dressed in white and support these causes if you can.

The bank will be open specially between 6-7 pm so people can have a look at my personal exhibition.

I will present the ‘Happening’ and “Prize of Peace” in Paris from 2-4 June 2006 at the Villette Centre. (Salon International des Initiatives de Paix)

The project will also be introduced to several Art and Architecture schools so as to inform students and try to involve them in the ‘Happening’.

Another event will take place at Rabelais Hall. I will exhibit one of my works there to help the EFS to encourage people to give their blood.

There will also be a visitor’s book, so please do not hesitate, leave your comments and impressions.

AFTER THE HAPPENING
 

After the exhibition at “Place de la Comédie”, it would be interesting to enable people to take a closer look at my works and organize other exhibitions in different halls such as those of the Council, Carré Saint-Anne and Hotel République.

If the “Happening” and the exhibition are successful, I will ask FNAC to organize a photography exhibition of the “Happening” in their shops in France . (The photographers are Jacques Fournier and Olivier Mériguet)

I hope the “Happening” will be a success and intend to do it again the following year but this time in Paris.

The 2007-2008 exhibition will also enable to raise funds for charities by organizing auctions of my works. The charity will be “Enfance et Partage”.

The art critic and auctioneer Jean-Richard Mattes will present two of my works at  Drouot-Richelieu salesroom  in November 2006. (For details see my website at : http….«Qui suis-je ? »).
 

                                                      MY ARTISTIC APPROACH
 

Any representation implies a certain degree of specificity. Daniel Mourre’s works combine the use of material with the presence of archetypes.

The combination of the two of them is quite rare in the prospect of an exhibition. The egg       -  thanks to its volumetric excellence stands for the permanence of ellipse. The egg is also by nature the symbol of its appetence for fertilization. Plaster comes from gypsum and is closely linked to earth but is also the outcome of industrial processes.

There exists the need to respect the duality of naturalness and its freedom : room is given to material but never without nobility ; the egg’s essence is transcended but never at the expense of its reason for living. Daniel Mourre has voluntarily situated the problem and will be able to tackle the problem of matter with the openings of artistic creation.

Plaster has been used as wood, clay and metal have before. Its softness and the unity of its patinas have made it the main element of the sculptures. New and inventive technologies had to be found to improve its sheen touch and egg-shape. Mr Mourre had to imagine and anticipate its different reactions due to cuts, slits and the presence of other volumes in the staging in his sculptures. All this has created a universe of its own between eggs and plaster and given birth to a multitude of possibilities: from a unique egg to a myriad of creative works of art. Mr Mourre’s approach is not illogical, quite the contrary. It has generated doubts, questionings and challenges.

The artistic outcome speaks for itself. It is strongly affiliated with modern sculpture and offers other meanings and a new deal. It is up to us to observe and decipher it.
 

                                                                                               Cagnes sur mer, le 13 janvier 2003

       Michel Gaudet

Another appreciation by Michel Gaudet of my 15 sculptures for the exhibition in July 2006.                                         

                                                                                                 10 March 2006, Cagnes sur mer

                                                           “Dear Daniel,

Thank you for sending your project to me. I found it clear, well structured, fecund and complete. Thanks a lot for adding my article to it.  Reading it again and  seeing the pictures of your sculptures confirm the quality of your work.

I can note that your egg-idea has evolved immensely toward genuine sculpture. It abounds with imagination, improvement and continuation. All these qualities will help you make efficient exhibitions in Montpellier. Well done!

Congratulations and best wishes on your success.

Keep in touch, yours sincerely,                                             

                                                                Michel Gaudet.