Megalotopie is an augmented painting, in which you become the object of attention. This work aims to question the critical view that we take on everything and everyone (especially on ourselves) often associated with a deep desire for recognition, and sometimes with a certain form of megalomania?

Spectator in Mégalotopie

Megalotopie is an artistic installation in which the spectator plays the main role. By entering this work, you become part of an augmented picture and you become the object of attention of all the characters of the short film which praises you in a caricatured way for over seven minutes. In Megalotopie there is a mise en abyme since the spectator also finds himself observed and commented on by the spectators (filmed actors) of the short film, and ultimately by himself. The critical gaze of the spectator is also directed towards his own image integrated into the work, he becomes a viewer watched, and a critic criticized. 

Lien direct : Mégalotopie

The form of the installation, the embedding of images and temporalities, as well as the mirror effect encourage reflexivity in the viewer. The installation makes us question ourselves, about this greed we have for recognition and also reveals the derisory side of this need through the humor that emerges.
Despite everything, I seek to create a work with a feel-good effect, and at the same time it was important to me to go to the extreme, to point out through humor and derision our relationship to compliment or flattery. The ecstasy of the public (actors) in the face of our own image is so disproportionate that it becomes absurd, we cannot believe it and at the same time this is precisely where the message of the work lies for me.
In a world losing meaning, we have both a need for recognition, and at the same time an embarrassment to receive, such as a lack of self-confidence, which leads us to seek recognition from others.
Thus, the spaces of the work are mixed with the space of the gaze, from the world of oneself to the world of Megalotopie. I aspire to question the way we look at ourselves: in this world where we judge, do we manage to be gentle and kind to ourselves, to take care of ourselves, to offer ourselves this kindness, to accept a compliment ?
To conclude, could we not already find this recognition that we seek from others within ourselves? By doing, for example, what we like to do, by carrying out projects that motivate us, by “tinkering with digital material”, as Michel Bret says to produce works that we enjoy making and enjoy sharing.

Spectatrice dans Mégalotopie

This system is made up of three spaces:
First, the tangible space which presents the scenography of the work and welcomes the public. This is the place in which the spectator is filmed, the lighting is carrefuly set there, a large backdrop with floral motifs is stretched in the background, the golden frame also visible in the film frames the TV screen embedded in a wall in portrait position. As soon as we enter this space, we enter the fictional space of the project, the staging and more generally the atmosphere already allow us to enter the author’s imaginary universe.
Then, there is the space of the short film in which we find in video the same golden frame. This short film was made from a rewriting of caricatured scenes based on criticism of art works (generally paintings) from 26 films or series. Significant lines were noted, reworked with the actors, then assembled to form more or less absurd dialogues. All the lines have been neutralized in order to address both a man and a woman.
The writing is organized according to three themes, firstly the critiques linked to allusions, references or metaphors appealing to the feeling of belonging and to family such as “It’s not just a portrait, it’s the portrait of a dear person, loved by his parents! ».Then the mystical or religious speeches “It’s like being inside a dream, or something where there is truth, but no logic. » And finally the lines linked to the sexual metaphor such as “When I see a painting like this I get emotionally erect. “. Finally, the whole thing was shot and then edited to create a sort of crescendo, a short film which moves towards a form of ecstasy or trance in front of the painting. However, this painting is, in the final art piece, the live feedback of the spectator.

Tournage de Mégalotopie

Thirdly, we find the real space-time of the viewer filmed and integrated into the short film (in the green screen area). This is a direct return captured with a Canon camera equipped with a 60 mm lens, which allows for a visually crafted image, including depth of field. After initial testing, the live video was mirrored, as it proved more intuitive for users to adapt their movements and interact with the short film..

Light set up

Ce projet est réalisé avec Unity.