Page 53 - Studio International - August 1965

Martial Raysse on the move

Paris Commentary by Alexander Watt

Martial Raysse Tableau Turc et lnv,aisemblable, made in Japan 1965 Mrxed Media. 137 x 211 cm. Galerie Alexandre lolas

At the moment of writing we are at the height of what contact Martial Raysse and speak to him at length, So
they term the Paris season; that is to sav that the month all I could do was to arrange an interview with him
of June is the most exhilarating and entertaining thirty over the telephone, This he confessed to be somewhat
days of the year, as far as art exhibitions are concerned. amusing because, owing to his sudden success, so­
Considering the fact that there exist more than three called art critics have run after him on the spot to
hundred art galleries alone in Paris, it is a task to question him about his art formula and of course to
describe which are the existing art shows of real photograph him , , possibly to intrigue the pop art
interest now being held in Paris. Consequently, it is a enthusiasts who would be enchanted by his charm and
difficult decision to make as to which exhibitions to engaging young looks.
refer to : I have attempted to cut these down to no As it was so difficult to contact him at the press view
more than five or six. of his show, I succeeded, nevertheless, in getting in
The most sensational show at present being held at touch with him over the telephone. We had a long
the newest and best established gallery in Paris­ conversation and he ended it by saying that he found it
the Galerie Alexandre lolas-is that of the work of 'gai' that this was the first long interview he had had
Martial Raysse, whose impressive compositions are with an art critic over the telephone,
striking on account of their originality, My first question was, did he come from a family of
Martial Raysse has earned a sudden and remarkable artists to which he answered quite simply that his
success, especially in the United States. He was born father was a ceramist who lives and works in Nice, near
in France at Golfe-Juan, and he is only twenty-nine where he himself was born.
years of age. He has an engaging and intelligent 'Where, when and how did you start painting and
character, and he does not demonstrate any outward taking an interest in art?' I asked him, His reply was that,
sentiment of snobbism , , , thank heaven, when we having been born and living in Nice, he had made the
are reminded of the regrettable tachiste attempts of early acquaintance of Matisse, whose art greatly
the artists of the New York School. impressed him-particularly because Matisse was then
There were, of course, too many people present at the preparing the decoration for the Chapel at Vence.
opening show at the Galerie lolas for me to be able to I, myself, had already made the friendship of Matisse
83