Questioning Our Images: The Female Frame

Examination of the image becomes vital in a period of history marked by the smartphone and its accessibility to image and video creation.  Lala Drona inspires others to question the origins of our daily images through her research into topics concerning le regard (the gaze).

Female Frame, 2019, Acrylic on Canvas, 20cm x 20cm

During her appearance at the Bienvenu Art Fair at the Cité des Arts in Paris, journalist and video editor Mathieu Mieleszko followed Lala Drona to document the release of her painting “Female Frame.”  In this video, Mieleszko delves into the artist’s intention behind the painting, and provides a link between her artistic universe and its real-world applications.  His cinematographic style in this video is influenced by concepts behind the piece, mimicking le regard which follows behind the artist during the exhibition.  The style critiques the traditional objectification of women depicted through the male gaze, as women in the video are not simply objects to be seen, but instead look back (appearances by: video artist Jamika Ajalon, and stained glass artist Alison Koehler).   

Lala states that her present work on the female gaze examines “issues in the lack of diversity in the transmission of images and stories throughout history.  Our images predominantly come from creators of the same profile (male, white, heterosexual).  It’s not to say that these stories are not important, it’s to say that it’s time to share the stage.  We want different stories, a broader understanding of the diverse human condition.  And it’s time to bring commonly silenced voices to the forefront.”

Video still from Mieleszko’s film

 Her painting “Female Frame” not only inspires others to question the profile of the person behind our images, but also the corporate and political entities.  “We are bombarded with too many images today, in the form of Instagram, and other social networks.  Advertisers and political campaigns are able to post images at the same level of importance as the images from our friends and community.  The infinite scroll feature facilitates the mindless consumption of these images, and we are only beginning to see the negative effects of this.” 

            Lala Drona intends to create three paintings under the concept of “the female frame.” 

Video editing by Mathieu Mieleszko:
https://vimeo.com/user20455396
Music in video by Sim Hutchins:
https://soundcloud.com/simhutchins
https://simhutchins.bandcamp.com/

L.D. Times Article 2019: Clare Steele and Lala Drona

The L.D. Times releases its yearly article in a new format, this time doubling its artist coverage. Clare Steele (Australia) and Lala Drona (France), talk about their digital friendship, and what it means to be an artist today.

Full Article

Lala Drona, painter / videaste, and Clare Steele, conceptual documentary photographer, first met in Seville, Spain in June 2018. They met in an all-female artist residency, and with Ezra Enzo (USA), abstract painter, became a solid international artist trio.

“They really bounce well off of one another,” said other artists-in-residence about the trio. “Since the residency, they’ve been able to keep in contact and support one another from 3 different continents through voice message.”

When approached about the topic, Lala Drona stated, “I’m so happy to have these women in my life. This is an artist friendship that represents our times: Three strong female artists, living in different countries, empowering one another by sharing our experiences through smartphone applications, in long-form voice notes. Sometimes I feel like these voice-notes are our contemporary letter-writing.”

When Clare Steele visited Paris, France in October this year, it was essential that they finally record one of these conversations. Click below to read the full article.

L.D. Times Article: Artist to ArtistFull Article

To read all L.D. Times articles, click here.

Artist Family Values: Lala begins research

Lala Drona spotted at exhibition

In an interview with Art & Stylin’ Magazine, Lala Drona said that she has been “taking a break from output to reassess.”  The artist stated that she continues to work on creative projects, but in order to dive deeper into other projects, social media and blog posts had to be put on the back-burner:

“I’ve reduced my output online because of my commitment to essential projects offline. I came to the realization that in my journey as an artist, my values seem to be holding me back, creatively and otherwise. The troubling thing is, these values I speak of, arise, and stop me from moving forward; they are walls that do not explain themselves. I’ve realized that for better or worse, these values have been transmitted to me, through exterior sources. I’ve never taken a moment to work through the voices policing me to be a “good” person, or “good” artist. Because I like the person I have become, and I like the life I lead today, I have never thoroughly investigated the origins of these “values.” Now that I am an adult, and no longer a young person clutching on to stable things in an unstable reality, it’s time to unpack them. I’ve decided to begin writing about my values as an artist, to find out what it means to be an artist today in this new world.”

Thibaut Narme, Economics Lecturer and friend of Lala Drona

Lala Drona was spotted at Au Chat Noir interviewing Thibaut Narme, a lecturer at a business school in Paris.  Sources say that Lala Drona was researching for a section of the essay that examines free market capitalism and the role of the artist within it.  She mentioned other topics in the essay would include Death to the bohemian artist and The young and the mature artist.

“My European Art Tour was enlightening.  I feel like I’m finally seeing everything from outside myself—starting to see the strings of how everything works—I’ve been seemingly invited to the game my whole life, but it’s only now that I finally understand the rules. I’ve definitely had to take an unconventional path to get them.  Now, I’m finally getting ready to play.”

For some experts, these statements raise red flags.  As Lala Drona has not yet left the doghouse regarding her reputation involving allegations of muse abuse.  However, after her stint in Paris Art Prison, she seems to have turned over a new leaf, committing herself to use everything she’s learned through her experiences (and muse experiments!) to help her fellow artists.

Lala Drona is also preparing for participation in the group exhibition “Turtle Bienvenu” at the Cité des Arts in Paris—the opening on October 12^th from 6pm-11pm.  Lala Drona plans to continue her exploration of the female gaze, in the form of painting on canvas and in a video performance.  Don’t miss her first show since returning to Paris.

The Art Gorgeous’ artists to know: “Three fresh takes on the female gaze”

What are the male and female gaze, and why are they so important to art history? On Tuesday August 13th, The Art Gorgeous published an article exploring just that. The article titled “Three fresh takes on the female gaze” by Katya Lopatko featured three artists which “are embracing and extending the female gaze, shaping the future of the art world with each stroke”(Lopatko).

Lala Drona, along with artists Helen Beard, and Samantha Louise Emery were chosen as “artists to you should know” when communicating the female gaze through paint on canvas. Read the article here: https://theartgorgeous.com/three-fresh-takes-female-gaze/

Go Hashtag Yourself Interview, 2018

Lala Drona sits down with L.D. Times Magazine once again for an exclusive  interview.  This time she discusses the ways in which social media and the Internet influence and affect her work as an artist.  Read the full article here.

 

 

Radio Interview with a Visual Artist

Lala Drona in her first ever public radio appearance on Beijing International Radio.  Listen to her interview on Touch Beijing 93.2FM, where she explains what it means to be a visual artist today, and how Beijing has inspired her art.  Stay tuned until the end where she reveals her plot for the future.

 

L.D. Times Article: The Blank Canvas, 2017

Lala Drona opens up for the first time about her experience since arriving in China in an exclusive interview with the L.D. Times.  She comments on her new video, due to release next week: “The Blank Canvas.”   A deep and inspiring article that delves into the artist’s psyche.

Click the image below to read the full 6-page spread.

 

 

Exhibition: Narcisse Obligé

Lala Drona to appear in collective exhibition “Narcisse Obligé” at La Savonnette Electrique next weekend October 15th-16th, and during the rest of the month by appointment only.

Ken Phak interviews Lala about her work and upcoming exhibition in The L.D. Times magazine.  Mirror, Mirror- L.D. Times article 2016.

The Penelope Show: Muse Pink

           During the past few years, artist Lala Drona has surprised and stunned us with her artwork and unconventional artistic philosophy.  However, we rarely ask about the inspiration behind such products.  The concept of the muse originates from Greek mythology; they are the goddesses which inspire literature, science and the arts.
Some famous muse/artist duos to be noted are Dalí and his wife Gala, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, and Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith.  Although the modern day use of the term muse describes someone or something that inspires an artist writer or musician, Lala Drona has taken the concept a bit further.
In The Lala World (Lala Drona’s artistic universe), muses are consultants that provide a service to artists and individuals.  Before Muses created their own unions, there were neither official contracts nor protection provided to them by the State.  After much struggle, legislation was passed to give Muses rights and compensation for their work.  However, some artists and muses continue to work off the books and receive their compensation under the table.  Lala Drona and her Muses are some of the few who continue this tradition.
Why would artists and Muses prefer to keep their business off the books?  Perhaps artists and muses with unconventional artistic practices don’t want the authorities affecting their processes.  Perhaps certain muses and artists negotiate non-monetary compensation for their services?  Penelope from The Penelope Show explores the concept of muse with Muse Pink, a muse known to have worked with artist Lala Drona.  See the video below.

Academia brings back Paper Goblin

Rumors to the reason why Lala Drona has been off the radar have finally emerged.  Lala Drona has recently finished a screenwriting/directing workshop at L’école des métiers du cinéma et de la tv / The International Film & TV School – Paris  (EICAR ).  Along with other writers and film directors, she studied the art of screenwriting and directing films.  When asked about her incentive to take the course at the EICAR, she explained that she is researching different media in which  she can bring the universe she is creating to life. However, the artist hasn’t completely dedicated herself to the reel just yet.

Je suis… exhibition. Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/www.jesuis.xyz?fref=ts

On the contrary, the course has inspired her to write the first book based in The Lala World.   “The Lala World is a world rich with details integral to its existence.  It deserves a book before it’s adapted to film,” she said.

Paper goblin

While taking the screenwriting course, Lala Drona wrote her first screenplay, a short film called “Tape Monster.”  The screenplay is inspired by the self-portraits she is currently painting for the Je Suis…

exhibition (taking place this October at The Maison des Ensembles) and by the Paper Goblin created in 2013.  “[The film] is about identity.  About accepting your inner monster and collaborating with it in order to create something beautiful.” The film “Tape Monster” is set to be released by the end of September 2015.  Shutupi is rumored to be the director of photography on set, and Lala Drona is said to be working with a prominent figure in the music industry for the soundtrack. Based on a Fact Tina Flint, student at Western College of Film Studies