Caroline Denervaud
Caroline Denervaud is a Swiss artist bringing new life to performance art. She was born in Lausanne in 1978 and is currently based in Paris. Denervaud’s work is movement-heavy and relies on a complete immersion in emotions. The pronounced lines with an organic softness mimic the natural curves and motions of her body. The process of her work is just as much the art as is the finished work. Below, Denervaud goes into detail about her approach to her art form.
What is your process when first beginning a new work?
I don't have any process. I work mostly on intrinsic researches. If I think about a result then I stop! For a video I prepare the setting: paper on the floor or on the wall, the material to draw, a dress and most important: the music. I listen to the piece of music I choose until I get in immersion with it, then I let go.
Where do you draw inspiration from and how do you note it?
It's very personal work. The inspiration is intrinsic and emotional. Of course I'm a big fan of Pina Bausch's work and how she let her dancers being themselves bring their own emotions-feelings-lives into a piece. I don't prepare nor write any projects.
Many of your works are quite movement-heavy and body-focused both in its creation and finished work. Is this purely thematic or would you say its the focal point of your artistic narrative?
I wanted to be a dancer because through movements I could speak as truly as possible. Emotions move out the body when you know how to let your brain away. So, yes, my work is about emotions and intrinsic feeling and my body is the best tool to bring them out.
Do you see your work as a continuing series or as exclusive entities?
It's a continual series that will stop [when] I die! It's a diary.
How would you like to see people interact with your art seeing as you, yourself, break down the third dimension in literally putting yourself into your artwork?
I never thought about this. What could be nice is watching people translating their emotions (dancing, drawing, singing) Actually I would like to do live performances. For sure the peoples’ eyes and energy will interact with mine to create a live piece.
Are there any specific ideas or concepts you see yourself referring back to over and over again in your work?
Traces (marks), movements in circles, black lines, organic and human shapes.
Courtesy of the Artist
Caroline Denervaud
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