Irene Kopelman. Marine models. Drawing regeneration

Irene Kopelman, Botryllus Paintings - Monochrome (détail), 2021, Acrylique sur toile, 100 x 154 cm, © Irene Kopelman

At the crossroads of art and science, the exhibition “Marine Models. Drawing regeneration” is the result of Irene Kopelman‘s unique work with two research laboratories.

After a first collaboration in 2018, MAMAC and the argentine artist continued their cooperation with an 18-month artistic residency, focused research focused mainly on the marine life studied in Nice and its surroundings. Delicate marine invertebrates studied for their exceptional biological capacities.

Thus, drawings, glass works, ceramic pieces and paintings bear witness to this research involving Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV) at the Institute de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV) with the Research Director Stefano Tiozzo; and the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN) – part of the Federative Research Institute – Marine Resources (IFR MARRES) – with the Research Director Éric Röttinger.

Many artists are concerned with the living, but few use marine biology research as a source of inspiration. Irene Kopelman is one of them, and this residency opens the doors to the fascinating world of Nematostella and Botryllus, seen through her eyes.

Partnership(s): Exhibition produced in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV) at the Institute de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV – SU, CNRS), the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN – UCA, CNRS, INSERM). Irene Kopelman was laureate of the Université Côté d’Azur programme for advanced research; as such, the artist’s residency was supported by the Université Côte d’Azur IDEX UCAjedi.
This work has been supported by the French government, trough the UCAjedi Investments in the Future project managed by the National Research Agency (ANR) with the reference number ANR-15-IDEX-01.
The project was selected by the Fondation des Artistes patronage commission, which supported it, as well as the Mondriaan Fund.

Irene Kopelman is represented by LABOR Gallery, Mexico, and Jocelyn Wolff Gallery, Paris.