EXHIBITIONS: From the Streets to the FIAC

Paris has been buzzing with its annual FIAC art fair, gathering high-profile groups of contemporary art collectors, museum curators and international dealers, and even winning international recognition through its rigorous selection process.  Lala Drona followers were proud to have seen prints of the artist’s work exhibited this year by renowned galleries from around the world.  The artist herself visited the fair on Sunday, and although she seemed slightly unamused, she agreed to pose for some photographs in front of her work.

Even stranger, the artist was spotted on the streets with originals of the same work exhibited at the FIAC.  She was first spotted setting up canvases in a busy metro station in the center of Paris, but quickly moved shop to appear in another metro station with fellow artist Dean James Lovett.  The two put on a metro exhibition, laughing over beers and presenting their work.  When beers were finished, they closed up shop and moved outside.

Lala and Dean set up their operation outside the Centre Pompidou where they shared champagne with passerbys and invited them to attend their “art opening.”  Marie Formi a witness to the scene commented on the show, “C’est le veritable art. (It’s real art)” she said. Many others commented on the artists’ show saying the artists would go far.

Although many enjoyed Lala’s street vernissage, critics were not amused with the stunt.  “It’s actually quite tasteless to have her prints selling at the FIAC for thousands, while she stands in the street and sells the originals for next to nothing,” says critic William Stockman from the British Contemporary Art Guild.  “It’s quite the slap in the face for the galleries that have supported her over the years.”

So what exactly is Lala trying to say with this stunt?  Is she pulling a Banksy to make a statement or is she aimlessly continuing her art and rock and roll lifestyle?  Perhaps we will just have to wait and see what else this young artist has got up her sleeve.

Samantha Craig, Faux Pas Magazine

Update on progress: More from “Sexe Sans Sex”

Lala continues working on her “Sexe Sans Sex” series.  This series asks the mind to fill in the blank.  The two styles depicted in this series are abstract and figurative…all sexual in nature.  The mind fills in the information easily with the figurative images, which in turn evokes a strong reaction from the viewer.  Nothing is hidden from the viewer and it is his/her mind that fills in the information to make sense of it.  Despite the popularity of the highly anticipated project, some critics are quite put off by the pieces, saying they are “tasteless, pornographic and easy.”  Other critics are excited and intrigued by the sudden change in theme and style,  “We’ve never seen Lala do something on the lighter side.  I feel so far she is doing quite well balancing between the profound and the trashy,” states art critic Emilio Sande.  When asked by Based on a Fact, Lala simply put her hands up and said, “There is nothing pornographic about these pieces.  You could make up any story you want to make sense of these images.  Your mind sees what it wants to see.”

Three canvases, each an abstract depiction of “female.”

Although the figurative pieces can stand on their own, their juxtaposition to the abstract pieces is what really makes this series interesting.  Despite their more strongly pornographic nature, the onlooker is fooled into staring at the abstract paintings for longer periods of time, feeling comfortable among nonsensical blobs and other forms.  “It’s very interesting seeing their different reactions,” Lala comments on peers seeing her new pieces for the first time.  “I feel like I’m learning more and more about my own series the more I hear others react to it.”

Lala continues to work hard in order to try to stay out of trouble.  She projects to be finished with the series by March 2014.  For now her agent is negotiating the next venue where she will show her work.  More updates to come…

Based on a Fact

Lala Drona Escapes Cops after Fred le Chevalier’s Opening

A night of art mayhem has thrown the Lala Drona back into the limelight.  Our story begins when Lala is spotted at Fred Le Chevalier’s art opening in Paris.  The art opening was greatly anticipated and crowds of trendy, alternative art-types showed up to view these romantically dark and brilliant pieces concerning love, fear and death.  Witnesses say Lala came alone and seemed quite desperate to find someone to talk to.  Pauline Guersant, an art collector at the show remembers Lala at the party.  “She looked quite anxious.  Trying to talk to anyone about the art that would listen.  I think she ended up talking to DAKO because he has a kind ear.”  Another source states that it looked like Lala and DAKO actually seemed to have been getting along, toasting champagne and laughing.

Lala Drona with DAKO (left) and Fred le Chevalier (right).

Lala’s unfinished stencil next to EP13’s call-out to her.

However, Lala’s new friend DAKO (a prominent street artist emerging from Berlin) might have just become her greatest enemy.  After the art opening, the two street artists were seen leaving together.  Later that night, a disturbance was reported to the department 94 police.  Destruction of private property.  Apparently DAKO and Lala decided to send a message back to another street artist EP13, who had written Lala’s name on the same wall.

Lala and DAKO interrupted by cops before finishes piece.

The police arrived before they could finish.  Although Lala escaped, DAKO was apprehended, but not without a fight.  Crowds watched as DAKO took down four French policemen before he was finally subdued when four additional officers arrived on site.  Although rumors suggest bad blood between the two street artists, according to Police Chief Nicolas Monteau that will not be a problem.  “This DAKO character will be deported as soon as I am able to finish the paperwork,” he quotes.

Fans will continue to keep an eye out for Lala during the next week as she continues to try to immerse herself into the alternative art culture of Paris whilst working on her own projects.  Be sure to check next week for another Lala update.

Based on a Fact

Lily Garrison, Journalist at EZVoyage