Urs Fischer Installs Life-Sized Statue of Leonardo Di Caprio at Gagosian Paris
The latest in his series of figurative candle portraits.
Gagosian Paris is presenting new works by Swiss contemporary artist Urs Fischer. Titled “Leo,” the exhibition showcases a series of life-sized candle sculptures that explore ideas of the ephemerality of beauty, the passing of time and transformation and decay.
A highlight of Gagosian’s latest exhibition is Fischer’s ‘Leo (George & Irmelin),’ which depicts Leonardo di Caprio with his parents George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken. Crafted entirely out of wax, the sculpture will eventually melt over the course of the exhibition. A modern-day take on the art historical memento mori, or symbolic reminder of death, the candle sculpture reminds viewers of the transience of life, beauty, and art itself.
In 2004, Fischer used loaves of sourdough bread to construct his large-scale sculpture titled ‘Bread House.’ Starting in the 2000s, Fischer worked with wax to craft significant art world figures. His replica of Giambologna’s sixteenth-century ‘The Rape of the Sabine Women’ was presented at the Venice Biennale in 2011 and slowly melted over time. The artist’s current exhibition at Gagosian Paris continues to explore the processes of material creation and destruction through his use of impermanent materials.
Take a look at installation views from “Leo” in the gallery above. The exhibition is on view to the public now until December 20.
Elsewhere, Raymond Pettibon displays both new and archival works at David Zwirner with his “Frenchette” exhibition.
Gagosian Paris
4 Rue de Ponthieu
75008 Paris, France
