Born in Cannes in 1972, Brice Dellsperger has been exploring the codes of cinema since 1995 through his procedural series Body Double, in which he reproduces, shot after shot, short scenes from iconic films by directors such as Brian De Palma, David Lynch, Paul Verhoeven, and Gus Van Sant.
By remaking these scenes, the artist questions the norms of representation imposed by Hollywood, auteur, or more experimental cinema, and immersing us into an nearly surreal strangeness, where the logic of the script gives way to a disturbing play of overlapping doubles.
Starting from the premise that cinema is already a “disguise of reality,” he replaces in his remakes all the actors and actresses with amateurs, without any gender distinction. While the scenes are often reproduced using ingenious economy of means, the original soundtracks are preserved, creating a sense of dissonance that oscillates between humor and discomfort. Not only do the multiple identities assumed by the characters challenge the codes of gender and sexuality, but they also blur the viewer’s narrative reference points.
In Quitte ou Double, the artworks Body Double 31, Body Double 34, Body Double 36 et Body Double 38 are presented through installations. They are respectively based on Basic Instinct from Paul Verhoeven, My Own Private Idaho from Gus Van Sant, Perfectfrom James Bridge, and two short-films: Puce Moments from Kenneth Anger et Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman from Dana Birnbaum.
Maëla Bescond
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This exhibition receives the support of French Ministry of Culture “Mieux Produire Mieux Diffuser” program.
Another exhibition of this artist, Futurs Intérieurs, is on seen at the contemporary art center – La Synagogue de Delme until December 14.
A catalog about the artist will be published at the end of 2025 at Mousse Publishing, thanks to the support of “Mieux Produire Mieux Diffuser”, the MRAC Sérignan, the Fondation d’entreprise Ricard, the Fondation Agnès b., and the Air de Paris gallery.
