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Le monde entier est un cactus (totem #1)

Koen Taselaar (in 2016)

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Joel asked

Is the title of this work inspired by the song “Le Cactus” by Jacques Dutronc?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Hi Joel, yes, nice that you have noticed this! We too think the song was an inspiration, as the title is derived directly from it. Kind regards, Els
Branko asked

What does it mean?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Branko, thank you for your question. It is not easy to answer it because there is not one single clear meaning to be discovered. The artists challenges you, the viewer, to look good and try to construct a meaning from what you see: a totemic figure that is made from various ceramic forms in blue, rosa-red and yellow. Just the look tells you that the figure, unlike an ordinary totem, is quite vulnerable. The title of the work (translated: The whole world is a cactus) refers to a 1966 song by the French chansonnier Jacques Dutronc. The song deals with distress and anxiety in a humorous and at the same time melancholic way. I hope this helps you to look at the work with new eyes. Kind regards, Els

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Specifications

Title	Le monde entier est un cactus (totem #1)
Material and technique	Earthenware, glaze, wood
Object type	Sculpture > Three-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Height Error: 11,5 is not a valid BCD value cm Length Error: 24,3 is not a valid BCD value cm Width Error: 24,3 is not a valid BCD value cm
Artists	Maker: Koen Taselaar
Accession number	BEK 1971 a-i (MK)
Credits	Puhased with the support of Stichting Van Achterbergh-Domhof, 2016
Department	Modern Art
Acquisition date	2016
Creation date	in 2016
Material	Glaze > Geglazuurd > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique Glaze > Geglazuurd > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Earthenware > Ceramics > Inorganic material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Sculpture > Three-dimensional object > Art object

All about the artist

Koen Taselaar

Rotterdam 1986

Bekijk het volledige profiel

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