Having read about Martin d’Orgeval’s beautiful Touched by Fire series in the latest edition of the excellent literary paper Drawbridge, I was thrilled to hear the paper were also putting on a physical show of the photographs. Documenting a fire that devastated the world famous Deyrolle museum in Paris, the photos capture the destruction of a once healthy collection of taxidermy and entomology. The article is fascinating, and the photos spell-binding.
Hi guys, this is some pretty dark bit of subject matter for a show, how did you come across the story?
Bigna: You find it dark? Somewhere Martin explains that “what man and science had taken from the natural cycle of life and death and fixed forever for our wide-eyed pleasure was partially brought back to its original destiny: the fading and disappearance that awaits any creature. Time had been made to stand still, and nature had reclaimed its rights.” I don’t think that’s dark, it’s very reassuring. We found the images whilst compiling a Drawbridge issue on Silence. Also reassuring. Just a pause.
Laura: Perhaps the taxidermy process is a little dark.
What do you think your readers find so fascinating about charred taxidermy?
B: It’s tricky to guess what someone else finds fascinating. But these images invite a thought or two and are very beautiful to look at.
You’ve already published a piece on the story, what worth do you think there is in a follow up exhibition?
B: Strawberry tart and strawberry ice cream. The pictures will be bigger, on the walls and we can stand in a room together, if you like.
Do you know much about the rest of Martin d’Orgeval’s work?
B: Yes it is marvellous! So much attention.
L: Martin’s work is a delight, he also will be exhibiting new work in Paris, a show titled, “Establishment Forever”.
Forgive the interview cliche, but it seems apt this time round – if you had to save one of your own possessions from a burning building, what would it be?
B: My computer.
L: Drawings, mine and others.
Touched by Fire, by Martin d’Orgeval
Blacks
67 Dean Street
London W1
9 – 30 November
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Alex joined as director in 2008 and oversees the commercial side of The HudsonBec Group which includes It's Nice That, Anyways, Lecture in Progress and If You Could Jobs. Contact him to discuss working with us on sponsored content, commercial partnerships, media partnerships and commissioning work.