RAIGLOGRAM'S
The series is an interrogation on our human condition. A blend between the telegram - a written message intended to be transmitted - and the artist's surname, it consists of a collection of works on paper composed of words and elementary drawings. Through these short phrases, the artist aims to question us on subjects inherent to our daily lives and more broadly to our humanity. It was during a visit to one of the early Christian basilicas in Istanbul, Saint-Savior-in-Chora, that she was struck by a fact that was previously unknown to her: the potential existence of a flesh-and-blood siblinghood around Jesus. In the artist's eyes, it is her open-mindedness and critical view of reality and dogma that are being called into question here. It is from this event that the first raiglogram, "Are you awake?", stemmed.
Paula's interest then turns to our conditioning to accept a certain established discourse, the word of a dogma, or an education without questioning its foundation. The artist's work addresses essential and inherent questions of life in its most universal form: love, spirituality, humanity, politics, family, man and woman, life and death. With audacity in the choice of words and formal spontaneity, the artist produces this work continuously.
The strength of the writing on the page is sufficient to challenge the mind of the viewer. The objectivity of the word is essential for the artist to better engage and question the viewer.
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It is also through this reflection that arises within us that the work materializes. Its action lies in the invisible, in the intangible of what surrounds us far from appearance, demonstration, ostentation, and material consumption. Finally, the raiglograms open a breach to provoke debate among audiences of varied ages and cultures. They solicit exchange, awareness, and enthusiasm on our scale. Are you still awake, are you still looking at what's happening around you? Shouldn't we react, speak, do, act? The raiglogram "In the Name of God" is a reflection on the absurdity of bloodshed in the name of God. "Religion, angel or demon?" continues this questioning. We see a sword dividing a mask half joyful and half sad. It's the opposition between the benefits and harms of monotheistic religion that have manifested throughout human history. How can this religion, which evokes so many positive feelings in individuals (belief in life, desire for sharing and unification around a message of love), also lead to invasion and destruction? Using religious vocabulary, the artist poses the question of the origin of suffering, good, and evil. She adds: "Religion should focus more on spirituality and less on invading people's wardrobes, bedrooms, and refrigerators!" Everything is said.
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All this bloodshed in the name of God, it has been going on for centuries. When will we ask ourselves what God wants? It's also the human mind and its stubbornness to categorize individuals that Paula challenges. Why so many dichotomies and distinctions, especially between man and woman? The Cyclades and their almost androgynous representations are a great source of inspiration on this subject. Shouldn't the focus be more on the individual as a whole without distinction of gender? Despite biological differences, we are all actors and we all have a part to play in this world. It is not our external qualities that define our existence but rather the result of our actions. Diversity is rich, and our self-confidence should stem from this primary realization. Nature has made us up of contrary elements, of qualities and flaws, which form our own beauty. "Women amen?" Who is a men? A men? Paula reminds us that even in language, women seem to be sidelined. The word "man" is too often used to refer to the human species as a whole. Yet true "Humanity" on earth will only be possible if we accept the feminine and masculine aspects within each of us and stop categorizing individuals. "All monotheistic religions have appealed to it. Why? Why is woman such a danger in the public space? Why do we blame women? Why should she hide? Is it rather an education issue or are our instincts so different? Is it the ability to bear children that makes the difference and scares, or is it the weakness of man, desire? Is desire masculine? Doesn't woman also look at man with desire? Why can't we value the beauty of the body as nature does so well... the beauty of colors, the song of birds, the plumage etc... Is it forbidden for humans to show themselves in a 'beautiful costume'?" "The electricity, the ultimate power?" Here's another crucial question today. What if electricity stopped? Our entire society and our lives would freeze as quickly as we turn off the light. Should we accept - like sheep - that power is so far beyond us? And how can we not succumb to the insidious dependence on technology and material goods? "Accepting injustice, an act of survival?" "The cry of the heart would be to say that we do not accept injustice. Unfortunately, it is an integral part of our life. From birth... depending on our place of birth, whether it is a country at war or at peace, whether we come from a poor family or not, whether we are healthy or sick? Where is justice?
If injustice gives you the strength to overcome it and to grow as a person, is it legitimate? But "human" justice is rendered by humans, thus undeniably imperfect. My justice may not be yours; the application of justice is based on laws that vary in each country. Politics, religion, traditions greatly influence justice."
In conclusion, the raiglograms appear as a communication tool to address these subjects that we too often approach too little, as we distract ourselves to avoid reflecting on tomorrow. It is our freedom of thought and action that must precede the single detached thought from our deep nature. It seems urgent, therefore, to set aside the virtual and the material to live better in connection with the essential: love, family, equality, and to know ourselves.
"How can we still believe that we are the only human beings in the universe? Isn't that presumptuous and a sign of closed-mindedness? The era when we thought the earth was a flat surface with a celestial tent above is far gone, yet there persist a few very enlightened minds, often unfortunately influential, who still question this."
Living life as a spectator or as an actor? It's a choice.