Gallery VER

Vacances Mécaniques – วันหยุดซ่อนกล
By Elvire Bonduelle
An invitation by Rirkrit Tiravanija
Curated by Ariane Kupferman Sutthavong
With the support of French Embassy of Thailand
Venue: Gallery VER
Date: 6th June – 27th June, 2020

A table, four chairs, a perfect lawn and fences. At first glance, Elvire Bonduelle’s solo exhibition – Vacances Mécaniques or วันหยุดซ่อนกล – evokes the plasticised domesticity of a suburban residence, more so perhaps than exotic locations the idea of a holiday might conjure. Yet such thought is rapidly set aside, as we are led through a colourful terrace and dared to rethink our collective understanding of breaks, long weekends and annual leaves.

Too often, we are led to believe that going out demonstrates qualities such as an open mind or adventurous spirit; whereas staying in has the less stellar reputation of being somewhat stifling, boringly conventional and a sign or laziness. Just as authors, from Russian novelist Ivan Gontcharov to Swiss essayist Mona Chollet, sought to rehabilitate the unfairly disparaged homebodies, Elvire Bonduelle teases at the equally gregarious nature of holiday-goers – many of whom, each year, unpack their suitcases or lay down their beach towels in the same spot.

Largely inspired by the colours and shapes of urban “furniture” pieces the artist encountered in Bangkok – a popular holiday destination for many and a home for its occupiers, including the artist herself – Vacances Mécaniques playfully bridges gaps between the private and the public, social injunctions and individual desires and exposes the little incoherences and contradictions of the daily life.

*For full exhibition text please download available PDF file*