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Courthouse Exhibition in Nantes – Hanging Paintings With The Artist

So when I’m not visiting art exhibitions, my services are required to take pictures of an upcoming event and figure out the art of hanging 52 large paintings in one of Nantes’ most famous buildings—merci papa!

From September 5 to November 10, my dad will present his latest series illustrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The venue? The courthouse of Nantes, this imposing dark and shiny cube designed by Jean Nouvel that sits in front of the Loire River, in the Isle of Nantes. It’s a big gig, a cool challenge. Strangely enough, my dad is very matter of fact about it. The paintings are ready, so now he focuses on the technical aspects of the exhibition.

I’m used to my dad’s fairly “unconventional” career choice. For him, “going to work” is going to his atelier where he is creating, drawing, painting. I have never seen him wearing a suit or anything else classier than a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Growing up, I never really asked him anything about art. I knew he could draw anything; occasionally I like his paintings or sculptures, but the creative process was a bit of a mystery and frankly, I wasn’t that interested in it—much like most kids don’t ask about their parents’ job, no matter what the job is, accountant, CEO, customer service employees or rocket scientist. Now I can appreciate how hard he works, how tough it can be to make people appreciate art or the “message” he delivers—a message of hope, respect and a deep appreciation of life and people.

Together, we walked to the courthouse, me holding the camera, him holding a large cardboard portfolio and a backpack full of stuff security staff do not want anyone bringing in a sensitive public place—scissors, cutters, metallic wires, etc. Fortunately, he was cleared and expected. Phew.

We used the trial and error method to hang one painting and make sure technical requirements were met. It works. Next step will be hanging the art, for real this time.

The exhibition consists of 52 paintings illustrating the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I hope he gets the success he deserves.

Self portrait at the courthouse
Self portrait at the courthouse
The brackets my dad made to hang the frames
The brackets my dad made to hang the frames
The brackets my dad made to hang the frames
The brackets my dad made to hang the frames
Working out the technical aspects...
Working out the technical aspects…
Working out the technical aspects...
Working out the technical aspects…
First try
First try
Signature at the back of the painting
Signature at the back of the painting
First try...
First try…
The painting is still secret for trial purposes
The painting is still secret for trial purposes
The art of hanging framed paintings
The art of hanging framed paintings
The art of hanging framed paintings
The art of hanging framed paintings
Inspecting the result
Inspecting the result
The art of hanging framed paintings
The art of hanging framed paintings
Testing
Testing
Testing
Testing
The art of hanging framed paintings
The art of hanging framed paintings
My dad in the courthouse's main hall
My dad in the courthouse’s main hall
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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