Hans-Ulrich Obrist Archive - Chapter 3: Agnès VardaA day without seeing a tree is a waste of a day
- idzia13200
- Oct 9, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 28
📍 Luma Fondation, Arles
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Hans-Ulrich Obrist Archive - Chapter 3: Agnès VardaA day without seeing a tree is a waste of a day
"A day without seeing a tree is a day ruined." - Agnès Varda. This quote perfectly captures the essence and worldview of one of the greatest figures in cinema and contemporary art: Agnès Varda. At the heart of the third chapter of Hans-Ulrich Obrist's archive is the profound and pivotal encounter with Agnès Varda, a meeting that marked a turning point in Obrist's career, while also highlighting Varda's unique place in the history of cinema and art.
Agnès Varda (1928-2019), a visionary filmmaker, feminist, and pioneering artist, played a key role in the development of the French New Wave film movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Her unique body of work, blending fiction and documentary, revolutionized traditional cinematic codes while offering deep reflections on the human condition, society, and memory. The exhibition explores her lasting influence not only in cinema but also in the visual arts, particularly through her encounter with Hans-Ulrich Obrist.
The meeting between Varda and Obrist took place thanks to an initiative organized by artists Christian Boltanski and Annette Messager in 2002. This was an opportunity for Obrist to fulfill a long-held dream: to meet and film Varda in her personal space, at her home, a place as intimate as it was creative. These interviews became the foundation of an artistic and intellectual friendship that grew stronger over the years, nourished by numerous discussions and collaborative projects. The exhibition honors this relationship by presenting exclusive archives and testimonies that reflect this creative bond.
The final moment shared between Agnès Varda and Hans-Ulrich Obrist took place on March 3, 2019, just months before the filmmaker’s passing. During this emotional meeting, Varda invited her artist friends to participate in her last work, Les Mains complices. This piece, a true celebration of love and friendship, is part of her ongoing artistic approach: to weave connections between individuals and between art and life. Through this exhibition, visitors not only discover the inner world of Agnès Varda, but also the importance of friendship, commitment, and humanism in her work.
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