Lecture on the subject of "Niki de Saint
Phalle" or "La revanche des Nanas" ("The Girls'
Revenge") by Christian LoubetTuesday 5 June 2018, at 6.30 pm Maison de France
Christian Loubet, Honorary Professor at the University of
Nice-Sophia (History of Mentalities and Representations), holder of the agrégation, the highest teaching diploma
in France and Doctor of Modern History, gave a lecture on the subject of Niki
de St Phalle (1930-2002). Niki de
St Phalle was the daughter of a banker, who became a member of the group of new
realists, taking part in aggressive performances.
She would shoot at pockets of paint to spatter the paint over a
mannequin used as a target (1961). Following these "exorcisms", she paid tribute to the
triumph of women with her giant and colourful polyester figures of women. Inspired by the mechanisms of Jean
Tinguely, her creatures can be found emerging from the Stravinsky Fountain in
Beaubourg and the Tarot Garden of Capalbio in Tuscany (83-93).
Her work enabled her to overcome a serious personal trauma, but
also expresses the demands of women in the 20th century.