Knock, Knock, Knocking on Horror's Door
By Charlotte Plews
Monday 2nd November 2009
Monday 2nd November 2009
In Analogue Books, Edinburgh, there is a strange and curious exhibition. Knock Knock, running until 14th November, is, complete with a spooky soundtrack, an exhibition with a difference; and it's free, which is always a good start. Jean Jullien is a graphic artist who's art is both distinctive and familiar- having been featured in Yale University Art Gallery and the New York Times- even if not known by name. Through his art he is very interested in exploring 2D and 3D and breaking out of frames. His simple shapes and frequent monsters somewhat evokes Maurice Sendak's Wild Things from the eponymous picture book, Where the Wild Things Are, but aimed at grown ups.
Jullien's Knock Knock installation's central theme is the horror B-movie. Faux film titles such as 'The Man in Me: A Chilling Tale of Cohabitation', 'The Beast in the Belfry' and 'The Roll Playing Game: A Chilling Tale of Suspense' (the latter accompanied by a smoking revolver—this is Russian Roulette, not World of Warcraft!) provide brilliant visual puns and tantalising plots.
To return to the idea of the picture book, Jullien has brought the idea of the picture flap to its life-size conclusion, with hinged pictures revealing the rest of the story below. And Jullien's pictures do tell stories, each one their own small comment or fantastic imagining, pushing the boundaries of art—literally, with pieces like 'Slime and Crime' spilling (or perhaps, oozing) out of their frames.
With the dual focus on the verbal and the visual, Jullien plays with the horror genre in colourful paints and bold lines. His artwork is playful with a dark side, and is very appealing. Running for the next couple of weeks, it's an excellent way to revisit Hallowe'en weekend. And if you have a spare £60 to £160 pounds you could own one of his originals.
Jullien's Knock Knock installation's central theme is the horror B-movie. Faux film titles such as 'The Man in Me: A Chilling Tale of Cohabitation', 'The Beast in the Belfry' and 'The Roll Playing Game: A Chilling Tale of Suspense' (the latter accompanied by a smoking revolver—this is Russian Roulette, not World of Warcraft!) provide brilliant visual puns and tantalising plots.
To return to the idea of the picture book, Jullien has brought the idea of the picture flap to its life-size conclusion, with hinged pictures revealing the rest of the story below. And Jullien's pictures do tell stories, each one their own small comment or fantastic imagining, pushing the boundaries of art—literally, with pieces like 'Slime and Crime' spilling (or perhaps, oozing) out of their frames.
With the dual focus on the verbal and the visual, Jullien plays with the horror genre in colourful paints and bold lines. His artwork is playful with a dark side, and is very appealing. Running for the next couple of weeks, it's an excellent way to revisit Hallowe'en weekend. And if you have a spare £60 to £160 pounds you could own one of his originals.