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Jean-Jacques LebelFrench artist, poet, publisher, politician and scientist
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Jean-Jacques Lebel: An Interdisciplinary Artist and Activist
- Early Career and Artistic Collaborations
- Publishing and Performance Art
- The Birth of Happenings
- Happenings and Activism
- Film and Assemblage
- Legacy and Exhibitions
Jean-Jacques Lebel: An Interdisciplinary Artist and Activist
Jean-Jacques Lebel, born in 1936, is a multifaceted French artist, poet, publisher, political activist, and scholar. He has made significant contributions to the field of art, particularly through his groundbreaking work with happenings.
Early Career and Artistic Collaborations
Lebel's artistic journey began in 1955 with his first exhibition at Galleria Numero in Florence, Italy. He has since collaborated with many notable artists and writers, including Arnaud Labelle-Rojoux, with whom he shared an artistic vision.
Publishing and Performance Art
Beginning in 1955, Lebel published the poetic journal "Front Unique." He also organized several nomadic poetry festivals, such as "La Libre Expression" in 1964 and "Polyphonix" in 1979. During the 1960s, Lebel translated and published the writings of prominent Beat poets, including Burroughs, Ginsberg, and Ferlinghetti.
The Birth of Happenings
In 1960, Lebel was instrumental in creating the first European happening in Venice. This controversial performance featured a draped "corpse" lying on a pedestal, which was then ritually "sacrificed" by a "executioner" while excerpts from the works of Huysmans and the Marquis de Sade were read. The performance culminated in the corpse being transported on a gondola and cast into the canal.
Happenings and Activism
Lebel wrote the first critical essay in French on the happening movement, drawing parallels to the Dada-Messe of 1920. He went on to stage over 70 happenings, performances, and actions, often using art as a form of political activism. In 1968, he joined the "Mouvement du 22-mars" and later became involved with anarchist and socialist groups.
Film and Assemblage
In collaboration with François Pain, Lebel created the 90-minute film "Monument à Félix Guattari." In 1994, he exhibited a large assemblage titled "Monument à Félix Guattari" at the Centre Pompidou.
Legacy and Exhibitions
Lebel's multifaceted work was celebrated in a comprehensive exhibition at La Maison Rouge in Paris in 2009 titled "Jean-Jacques Lebel, Soulvements." The exhibition showcased his contributions as an artist, curator, writer, performer, and festival organizer, addressing themes such as happenings, disobedience, poetry, and eroticism.
