PIERRE JAVELLE AND AKIKO IDA: The MINIMIAM Universe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Pierre Javelle and Akiko Ida: THE MINIMIAM UNIVERSE
October 17 – November 29, 2008.

Madelyn Jordon Fine Art is pleased to present the first solo United States exhibition of works by the Paris-based artists, Pierre Javelle and Akiko Ida, entitled Pierre Javelle and Akiko Ida: The MINIMIAM Universe from October 17 – November 29, 2008. An opening reception will be held Fri, October 17th, 2008 from 6-8PM. The artists will be present.

The exhibition features a selection of works from the MINIMIAM series of diptych photographs created between 2002-2008, in which the artists present a manufactured micro universe, part Toy Story, part Candy Land, populated with diminutive, humanoid characters engaged in a range of ordinary and extraordinary activities. The artists, a husband and wife collaborative team, created the first MINIMIAM works in 2002. Since inception, the series has grown to over 60 images.

The MINIMIAM project morphs multiple genres of photography, including microphotography, culinary art, portraiture and landscape. The action, ranging from sporting scenes to warfare, takes place in carefully staged, fantastic, food settings. In each work, the first image introduces toy-like actors in an ambiguous setting. The second panel reveals the scene’s totality, to an unexpected, often amusing end. Though generally light-hearted and playful, the artists’ work intelligently probes fundamental questions of human perception, and how meaning is constructed and manipulated through images.

Sophisticated photographic devices form the core of the artists" expression, which both entertain and unsettle the viewer. Using extremely short depths of field with very small apertures, the miniature characters are sharply in focus, while the surrounding landscapes are blurred. At the same time, their diminutive size contrasts with the gigantic surrounding space, allowing the viewer"s eye to freely wander around the entire scene. Stage set lighting silhouettes the actors adding drama to the story, and intensifying the textures and colors of the edibles. Our appetite is piqued.

The artistic collaboration combines Ida’s long-standing attraction to gastronomy and childhood pastime of inventing tiny characters with Javelle’s passion for comics. Both artists are highly successful food and life style photographers. Ida has participated in more than 40 cookbooks and her work is published in major magazines throughout Europe and Canada including Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Elle a Table, L’Express and others. Javelle is published in major gourmet magazines including Le Monde 2, L’Express, Departures and Paris Match. While their individual success in the commercial world somewhat hid the rest of their production, this exhibition offers an opportunity to see another side of the artists’ considerable talents.
Tuesday - Saturday, 10:30am - 5:30pm