Les Temps Modernes, Group Exhibit from the Gagarine workshop for the Ecole des Arts Christmas show at the Charlie Chaplin Cultural Center, Vaulx-en-Velin, France 12/19/2023
Art Instructor: Bénédicte Reverchon

Part of a workshop at the atelier Gagarine. The theme was based on various Charlie Chaplin films for the show. Looking through the workshop's supplies of odds and ends, I found some film reels and other factory items that made me think to Modern Times and the media of that time, film (see supply images above). So I started building a mobile that would be placed in front of two of the stage curtains. My original idea was to use only the supplies I found (a recycle challenge to myself), but later on I made cogwheels for some of the film reels and used white film leader with a black marker to draw Chaplin's hair. Most of the time was spent doing the construction part of the mobile; how each unit had to hold the next below or beside it, how to make it symetrical, etc., and the entire mobile hung from only one fishing wire above the top most piece. The final versions were rushed for the show.

Material: Film reels, white film leader, audio reels, factory cardboard cut-outs (reminded me of Chaplin's face), metal rods & wire, mirror-like cardboard, notebook binder spring, spray paint, black marker, screws & washers, etc.

Les Temps Modernes, Group Exhibit from the Gagarine workshop (Ecole des Arts) for the 40th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin Cultural Center, Commaret room, Vaulx-en-Velin, France 04/04/2024