From February 25 until April 11, 2015
at Art Gallery PUTTI

French conceptual jewellery artist Emmanuel Lacoste

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

During the 4^th century, the monk Evagrius Ponticus published a collection of books, one for each moral transgression that anyone should avoid doing not to offend God. The final and still commonly accepted list of the Seven Deadly Sins has been defined by Thomas Aquinas during the 13^th century – wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony. It was supposed to be a frame of reference for the ecclesiastics in order to keep a perfect spiritual behavior.

In March 2008, the Catholic Church announced its will to renew this list and add some social sins, like genetic manipulation, use of drugs, environmental pollution, poverty, etc. At this time, Emmanuel Lacoste found an interest in looking back to the original, primary and outdated list with a kind of soft irony. In his opinion, these seven sins shaped the frame of human weakness, because we wouldn`t be what we are without them.
These sins are not really forbidden acts, but more what Thomas Aquinas used to call passions that submit us to temptation. What underlies these sins is desire. And what kind of object could be a better medium for desire than a jewelry piece? The exhibition “The Seven Deadly Sins” represents humoristic point of view about these temptations. Each piece of jewelry comes with a sculpture that represents a part of a woman’s body. In these pieces the relation between the object and the body is more than just aesthetic, because every piece causes a physical punishment if the person who wears it surrenders to the related sin.
Human body is one of the last sanctuaries for individual creativity. These seven pieces are in line with a research for an accepted egocentric eccentricity.

“The perfection of the righteous is formed from the right composition of the seven deadly sins – just as white light is from the composition of the seven traditional colors.”

– Paul Valéry

Envy, 2008

Envy is portrayed as a paraphrase about a cheese for free but in a mouse trap. When one desires something from another, the trap slams closed and the pain sets in for the little, golden piece of cheese.

Materials: Mahogany wood, gold-plated silver, stainless steel

 

 

 

 

Sloth, 2008

Being lazy seems so enjoyable. Idleness overcomes, submitting to doing nothing… Seems so tempting to rest the head on a white, fluffy down pillow that always seems to be within grasp. When putting the chook on it, pillow punishes by pricking in its sharp needles.

Materials: Goose feathers, satin, black silver, stainless steel

Gluttony, 2008

The desire for delight is standing above all – gluttony has taken over. Another rock candy is taken to enjoy. But this damned candy is a precious stone instead. One bites into the candy, but breaks the tooth.

Materials: Lemon citrine 100ct, gold-plated silver

 

 

 

Greed, 2008

The need for more, the need for it all – only to put it all in a cage, where it is good for no one. The gatherer has become a slave to it all.

Materials: Gold-plated metal, crystals and semi-precious stones, mink fur

 

 

 

Wrath, 2008

Knuckle duster with an aggressive animal (alligator) skin. When putting it on, the wearer turns into animal as well. By submitting to the anger, the strongest pain is inflicted to the wearer itself.

Materials: Titanium with PVD treatment, caiman red leather, white gold, rubies

 

 

 

 

Pride, 2008

Classic diamond has 57 edges. The diamond that is hypertrophied creates a compulsion to show off. But only when looking into this wonder, it can be seen that the reflection is shattered and the person is degraded by its pride.

Materials: Silver, mirror

 

 

 

 

Lust, 2008

Lust is almost overpowering. The glass phallus is in ideal form. If one would use it, it would break into many thin and sharp glass shatters. Terrible pain instead of the expected pleasure.

Materials: Blown glass, gold-plated silver, lace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Lacoste is conceptual jewellery artist since 2007. Before that he finished AFEDAP Contemporary Jewellery School in Paris, where he also has been a regular speaker. Since 2012 he is a teacher in Paris College of Art, Fashion department, teaching “Wearable objects” class. He has shown his works in many group and solo exhibitions, as well as performances around the world.
Among all types of artistic creation, there is one essential thing that sets jewellery apart – it`s direct physical contact with the body. We wear it on and sometimes within our skin. This proximity creates a very intimate and personal relationship between us and the piece.
The work of Emmanuel Lacoste follows a line of research with multiple entries, structured around the relationship existing between the body and the piece, the piece and the body.
This body is anatomical, intimate, social, political or symbolic. It is matter and sometimes material. The medias – jewellery, sculpture, installation, performance – are used as tools adapted to the subject, they convey conceptual or formal intentions, often intuitive.

Arterritory about exhibition “THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS” (link)

Diena.lv about exhibition “THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS” (link)

Appollo.lv about exhibition “THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS” (link)

Delfi.lvabout exhibition “THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS” (link)