Flash Collection, 2016
Commissioned by the Fonds Régional d’Art Contemporain d’Île-de-France, Paris

Questioning the notion of the “original”, in 1935 French artist Marcel Duchamp realised the Boîte-en-valise, a miniature suitcase designed to transport the reproductions of his artworks. For his part, in the 80s, Italian designer Achille Castiglioni used to bring to classes two suitcases full of strange objects to stimulate the curiosity of his students. A wink to these practices mixing art, pedagogy and mobility, Flash Collection is a fly case that allows the FRAC Île-de-France to safely travel a selection of small original works around Paris’ high schools. Functional and self-sufficient, the device consists of several double-sided wood frames that form a series of protective boxes. Fixed on thin metal bases, the frames give shape to a multitude of scenographic rotating triptychs. Finally, coloured plastic covers are fixed on the surface of each frame allowing professors - suddenly transformed into illusionists - to reveal the artefacts one after the other. As a portable and interactive translation of museums’ scenographies, Flash Collection envelopes each object of the magic due to its status of artwork.

Photographs: Laure Charrier