the photographer

RANCINANIN
NNEWYORK
RANCINAN
NEW
YORK
KRANCINANI
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
RANCINANINNEWYORK
NINNEWYORKRANCINA
ANCINANINNEWYORKR
FOREWARD
Opera Gallery is proud to present the inaugural exhibition of the artist Gérard Rancinan’s photographs in New York. His work takes on an ambitious scale,
continuously fascinating the audience with socially satirical visions, vibrant and prolific protagonists, and a perpetually challenging use of symbolism.
By using iconic figures, such as Mickey Mouse, John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe in surreal settings, the observer comes into contact with a strange universe. It
is here where modern idols live in unparalleled freedom. This world is a contemporary mirror, where what is shown are the many faults of our society, our constant
need for entertainment, our obsession with youth and our collective reach for unrealistic happiness.
While Rancinan’s images are simultaneously shocking, dynamic and thought-provoking, his social commentary on what could be a troubling reality is an eye
opening experience for the viewer. Rancinan in New York takes the viewers hand and brings them into the artist’s enigmatic and provocative world.
Gilles Dyan
Founder and Chairman
Opera Gallery Group
Eric Allouche
President
Opera Gallery New York
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RANCINANINNEWYORK
NINNEWYORKRANCINAN
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PRESENTATION
Gérard Rancinan’s work can be compared to no other. Labeled as fine art photography, the artist’s profession is also his means of expression and commitment.
Rancinan’s photographs are not merely conditioned reflexes.
They are the very instruments of his thought-process, sensitive views of the world we live in and recognized forms of contemporary art. Rancinan breaks with
the conventional world of photography in order to follow a road that, although not solitary, remains unique.
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BIOGRAPHY
Born in the Bordeaux region (France), Gérard Rancinan travels the globe, bearing first hand witness to events of historical importance. Natural catastrophes, civil
and ethnic wars, and urban riots…he comes face to face with the complexity of the human condition and the random events by which it is fashioned.
His imperious need for self-expression leads him to focus on the world’s most important issues. He delivers startling images filtered through an ever-evolving
aesthetic prism.
Although his photographs are always inspired by the reality of our world nowadays, they are so much more than the mere face value representation of such a
reality. Rancinan’s works are poetic propositions, fragments of an enlightened vision of our times.
Constantly breaking down barriers, he is, by turn, an investigator deconstructing the great sagas of contemporary life, and a portraitist. His photographs of
athletes, artists, ecclesiastics and politicians have become iconic. His images have earned him a number of prizes, including four prestigious World Press
Awards.
The artist likes to start with a more classic inspiration - from Velázquez to Géricault - combining it with the influence of his encounters with Robert Rauschenberg
or Paul McCarthy; the result is the production of pre-meditated creations for which Rancinan alone holds the secret.
Following his domain of predilection, in the “Trilogy of the Moderns” he becomes the wakeful observer of his contemporaries. This marginal perspective involves
real mises en scène, veritable simulacra of the world in which we live.
Entering this surprising universe amounts to accepting the risk of discovering something new, to look elsewhere while the world’s gaze continues in more
orthodox directions. Every photograph of the artist’s creation is a punch to the gut, void of any stylish effect. Each of the artist’s exhibitions is an exploration of
destabilization, from which one never emerges unscathed, but always stronger.
Internationally renowned, Gérard Rancinan’s work is exhibited in the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums and is featured in the most important
contemporary art collections. During a recent Étude Millon auction at Drouot (2008), Gérard Rancinan became one of the highest ranked photographers in
France. He is a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
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META
MOR
Bearing active witn ess to
the great upheaval s of humanity...
METAMORPHOSIS I – THE RAFT OF ILLUSIONS
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
217 x 320 cm – 85.4 x 126 in. Edition of 1 + EA
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METAMORPHOSIS II – FREEDOM UNVEILED Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 150 x 202 cm – 59.1 x 79.5 in. Edition of 4
METAMORPHOSIS III – THE GARDEN OF DELIRIUM Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 60 x 100 cm – 23.6 x 39.4 in. Edition of 5
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METAMORPHOSIS IV – THE BIG SUPPER
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3
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METAMORPHOSIS VI – LAS MENINAS
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 234 cm – 70.9 x 92.1 in. Edition of 3
METAMORPHOSIS VII – THE DANCE OR THE ELEGY OF THE SACRED
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
150 x 218 cm – 59.1 x 85.8 in. Edition of 4
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METAMORPHOSIS XI - DECADENCE
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
235 x 470 cm - 92.5 x 185 in. Edition of 1 + EA
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Bubbles of thought preserved against
the obliteration of our memory...
HYPO
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HYPOTHESIS VI – THE THREE GRACES
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3
A
WONDERFUL
Life is one big amusement park…
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – ON THE WAY BACK FROM DISNEYLAND (previous page)
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
235 x 450 cm – 92.5 x 177.2 in. Edition of 1 + EA
A WONDERFUL WORLD – AMERICAN SAN SEBASTIAN II
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
75 x 100 cm – 29.5 x 39.4 in. Edition of 8
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 3
A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY GIRLS Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 3
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – BATMAN FAMILY PORTRAITS AND THE TWIN NURSES - 2084
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
125 x 180 cm – 49.2 x 70.9 in. Edition of 8
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – SALOMÉ IN WONDERLAND
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – SALOMÉ IN WONDERLAND, DETAIL II
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – DESPERATE MARILYN
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 231 cm – 70.9 x 90.9 in. Edition of 3
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – FAMILY WATCHING TV Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 238 cm – 70.9 x 93.7 in. Edition of 3
A WONDERFUL WORLD – OUR SOLDIERS SAVE OUR VALUES Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 264 cm – 70.9 x 103.9 in. Edition of 3
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A WONDERFUL WORLD – “LE BANQUET DES IDOLES”
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 300 cm – 70.9 x 118.1 in. Edition of 3
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From a simple portrait to
a unique artistic performance
PORT
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MARIE Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 170 x 140 cm – 66.9 x 55.1 in. Edition of 8
FRANKO B Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 178 cm – 70.9 x 70.1 in. Edition of 3
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PIERRE ET GILLES Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 77 x 76 cm – 30.3 x 29.9 in. Studio proof
PAUL McCARTHY Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 180 cm – 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3
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BALTHUS Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 150 x 150 cm – 59.1 x 59.1 in. Edition of 6
ZHANG HUAN Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame 180 x 265 cm – 70.9 x 104.3 in. Edition of 3
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MING IN GREY, RED, WHITE – TRIPTYCH VARIANT II
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
3 x 180 x 180 cm – 3 x 70.9 x 70.9 in. Edition of 3
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MING IN WAR
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
180 x 270 cm – 70.9 x 106.3 in. Edition of 3
DAVID LACHAPELLE
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
70 x 70 cm – 27.6 x 27.6 in. Edition of 12
ADRIANA (following page)
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass in artist’s frame
120 x 180 cm – 47.2 x 70.9 in. Edition of 6
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The vanity of man to change
the world to fit his image
SPECI
SPECIMEN #2877
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 25
SPECIMEN #2868
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 25
SPECIMEN #2850
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 8
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SPECIMEN #2789
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass
in artist’s frame 180 x 227 cm – 70.9 x 89.4 in.
Edition of 3
SPECIMEN #2417
Argentic print mounted on plexiglass
in artist’s frame 180 x 227 cm – 70.9 x 89.4 in.
Edition of 3
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SPECIMEN #2839
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 25
SPECIMEN #2350
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 25
SPECIMEN #2847
Fine Art print, white wood frame
40 x 40 cm – 15.7 x 15.7 in.
Edition of 25
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THE CREATIVE
Work is life, work is my life
WHAT
THE
PAPERS
SAY!
RANCINAN
WORLDWIDE TOUR
RANCINAN IN NEW YORK
RANCINAN IN LONDON
RANCINAN IN MILAN
RANCINAN IN PARIS
RANCINAN IN SINGAPOUR
RANCINAN IN GENEVA
OCTOBER 2012
MAY 2012
MARCH 2012
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2011
MARCH 2011
NOVEMBER 2010
RANCINAN IN HONG KONG
COMING SOON…
NOVEMBER 2011
RANCINAN IN MIAMI
5 TO 9 DECEMBER 2012
RANCINAN IN DUBAI
2013
RANCINAN IN SEOUL
2013