www.colonel.dk

1. Thierry Geoffroy Presse Downloads http://www.photography.dk/col08eng.html
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©Colonel
1995 Prime Time Direct TV Penetration
"The Genetically Modified Corn"
©Colonel
1995 Prime Time Direct TV Penetration
"The Genetically Modified Corn"
THEIRRY GEOFFROY/COLONEL
APRIL 18TH - JUNE 1ST 2008
Fotografisk Center is proud to present the exhibition 'Gymnastic Mediatic' where Thierry Geoffroy/Colonel has endeavored to focus on
how to use the media itself as works of art,
covering media from newspapers through television and to Facebook on the internet.
'Gymnastic Mediatic' is a gymnastic exercise for Colonel, where he moves through different media with liberating ease. His strategy is
deliberate, a guide to creating new 'penetrations' on how one can express oneself artistically. Artists like Matthieu Laurette, Gianni Motti,
Christian Janlowski and “social hackers” share a parallel strategy, though each artist has an individual language and a specific approach to
their work.
Colonel has worked with these fundamentals for more than 20 years, most evident through the TV series "Capitain" which had very high
viewer ratings. He has used the newspapers classified ad section as art works. the column "Hip Hip Hurra", where one can send personal
messages, was used to spread personal manifestations and ideas.
Newspaper reports mixed with fictitious characters and events have also been an important ingredient of Colonels frequently used strategy.
Today the internet is an ideal medium for his work, where both Facebook and MySpace have facilitated new forms of communication. Here one
can create art directly for the other internet users - the medium itself being not only a fostering point for ideas but also the messenger. It is the
speed and directness of these new forms of communication that fascinate and interest Colonel. The strategy becomes a choreographed exercise
where art is moved from the museums and out on the street and through the media.
Thierry Geoffroy/Colonel born in France though living permanently in Denmark has had considerable success, most recently with his PS1
happenings at MOMA in New York.
He has had solo shows at, among others, Sprengel Museum in Hannover and recently at Galerie Asbæk, Copenhagen.
Colonel has time and again succeeded in pushing the boundaries for ways to communicate. His TV programs are distributed free and numbered
and signed DVD copies are sold as art objects. These last few years his concept "Emergency Room" has been widely launched in many
countries. A refuge where one can connect with artists and discuss current issues, especially since exhibitions at museums and galleries have
such long planning phases that when the exhibition eventually opens it is already obsolete.
In this way "Gymnastic Mediatic" is a direct continuation of Colonels artistic work.
Thierry Geoffroy/Colonel has received support from the Danish Arts Council.