I caught a…. proud owl, solitary cloud… These are just some of the images captured by iconoclastic artist Stéphane Masson.
As night falls, you will discover the curiosities exhibited in a cage erected in the street so as to enchant passers-by. Since it left the workshop, this weird and wonderful zoo has evolved and is ready to come to life before our eyes.
The artist admits that trapping natural creatures in this way is a controversial practice but puts this consideration aside so we can take a peek at his fascinating digital zoo. This immersive visual experience also makes us aware of the blurred line between reality and fiction: the cloud may be imprisoned but our imagination is set free.
FUN FACTS
Stéphane Masson first built a small-scale model of “J’ai attrapé un…” during the pandemic so that he could set up his mini digital zoo in hospitals and care homes in Toulouse. A poetic change of scene for patients and care home residents.
A master in the art of subverting everyday objects, Stéphane Masson draws inspiration from the street arts company Royal de Luxe and the video artist and stage designer Pierrick Sorrin. His “use of video tricks to bring out the best in objects” fulfils his deep-down desire to add a touch of eccentricity and magic to our mundane lives. Hailing from Toulouse, he has been a regular participant in the Festival of Lights since 2010.
He has showcased his artworks – Voiture Aquarium, Super(s) Box(s) and Lampadaire à bisous – in China, the UK and the UAE. Stéphane Masson belongs to the La Trame collective which has been combining the talents of audio-visual and film experts since 1990. Creation is their raison d’être, but they are also keen to promote and educate people in visual images.
