Mara Goldberg SCENOGRAPHIES MOLLES Statement

I use softness in the sense of uncomfortable, non-possessable, an existential state. There is no reference to the body or to laws of transformation of a natural phenomenon.

The "scénographies molles" exist in different forms: photographic simulations where I use the photographic medium to simulate a space, reduced forms that are spaces that one can hold in the hand (cardboard, modeling clay...), and in real size where the space can be walked into: a simple construction in which one can circulate, with soft elements made of latex, fur, various textiles, etc.

Project

Make a "scénographie molle" in full scale of about 20m2.

The space is defined by a rudimentary structure (height 2,50 m, without ceiling, 2 openings) lined inside on 4 sides with painted panels (cardboard or light wood). The floor is pale green. A set of 5 soft elements (padded black textile) are suspended and on the floor and occupy the space.

This "scénographie molle" is a space in itself, it can be penetrated and is autonomous, it can exist anywhere.

Mara Goldberg, March 1993

Concerning “Scénographies Molles”

I started doing what I called “Scénographies Molles” in 1989. The term “Scénographies Molles” defines and comprises different kinds of spaces that I realized in 2 or 3 dimensions: “Photographic Simulations” (photos of specifically setup spaces for shooting a picture then destroyed), “Reduced Forms” made with cardboard and modelling clay, and spaces with sculptures physically accessible. For me, these different modes of formalization – simulation, reduction, ‘physicality’– were equivalent and flexible, making it possible to switch from a mental space to a physical confrontation.

Measure is not a measure given by an established standard or by a representation of an existing space. The question of scale comes from the work itself, in relation to the viewer – whether a physically accessible and ‘confrontable’ “Scénographie Molle” in the form of a sculpture, or a photographic image simulating the 3 planes of a space, or a space reduced to the size of a ‘box’.

“Scénographies Molles” are spaces that affirm their position with no relation to an architectural context, an installation, or a predefined frame. The “Scénographies Molles” affirm a spatial concept. Softness is what is uncomfortable, not ‘seizable’ and whose mass fills and occupies space. Softness imposes its own power of resistance.

“Scénographies Molles” in Reduced Form were never made as projects to be enlarged or as modelizations. They are spaces in themselves, which I conceived following the logic of an arbitrary space, made with an economy of construction and minimal representation:

- horizontal plane + 2, 3 or 4 walls

- the container / the form filling the container.

Reducing space to the size of a ‘box’ is a way of concentrating the vision and at the same time widening the dimension to the maximum. This kind of ‘elasticity’ of scale creates a simultaneous situation: we are facing a space-object that we can take in the hand and this space is also beyond measurement, out-measured. Following this same logic, I stuck photographic images on the walls to enlarge, incise or on the contrary, flatten the perspective field. I chose materials that allow a direct and unsophisticated use – soft shapes made with play dough, container structures made of raw cardboard, painted or covered with snow, vinyl, suede, book image, catalogue or postcard. Some “Scénographies Molles” are made for an eye-level vision: frontal with 3-planes (1989), simple structures, subdivisions, fillings of cardboard forms (1990), photos/painted walls with openings (1991-1993), others to be viewed from above in panoramic overlook: multiple spaces (1993-1995).

Mara Goldberg, December 5. 2007

Concerning “Simulations Photographiques”

“Simulations Photographiques” (“Photographic Simulations”) is a body of photographic works that I made between 1990 and 1994. These are part of what I called “Scenographies Molles” as a generic term for spatial works containing ‘soft’ sculptures. The “Scenographies Molles” are protean forms that can be “walk-in” spaces, “Reduced Forms”, or “Photographic Simulations”. The “walk-in” spaces are built full scale with sewn and stuffed fabric elements. “Reduced Form” are reduced spaces to be looked at and projected into, made of cardboard and clay elements. “Photographic Simulations” define a ‘mock space’ in 2-dimensional form. Shifting between these modes of perception is the process of transforming scale, shrinkage, or enlargement, as well as asserting their equivalence. A “Reduced Form” held in hand can be mentally huge and penetrated, while a large, long sculpture element can disappear unobtrusively in a corner.

I made the “Photographic Simulations” works over the course of 4 years. My principle was always same: a setup constructed for taking the photo in a rudimentary way with a 2-wall and floor structure, clay, painted cardboard, paper or other elements ‘occupying’ the created space. I often used opened books as walls. And catalogs, because I like repetition and the flat equivalence of such layouts in presenting objects, whether shoes, jewels, hairdressers’ products. I built the space with its’ content in a precarious balance, taking anything at hand to consolidate the roughly assembled structure and the hung elements, and shot the picture quickly before destroying or dismantling everything. There was no technical fuss or lighting. These were like actions. The “Photographic Simulations” works were never really finalized until now (2023). I decided to give them a definite form and size (45 x 30 cm), and selected 46 works out of 115 scanned negative films (or 10 x 15 paper prints when film was unusable), that were printed, mounted on dibond 2mm to constitute the final body of work. This is the new outcome of “Photographic Simulations”.

Mara Goldberg, March 2023

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