From 3 to 7 May 2012, on the steps of the staircase, in the heart of Parc Jourdan, the 7th SM’ART AIX EN PROVENCE fair gives free reins to artist Yo Bastoni. She develops an exceptional installation: 25 oversized ants in the shape of pebbles, her trademark for her sculptures. The multicolored insects, nearly 1 meter long, made in burnished cast aluminum and painted by the artist are off to take over the steps of the park.
At the top of the steps, AKIRA, a 2-meter tall, monumental sculpture in composite materials is on the look-out, something of an intelligent and clear sighted warrior who symbolizes contemporary woman: she is open to the world, attentive and has a fighting spirit. The artist presents her beautiful and strong, a tribute to all the women and men who struggle daily.
On the other side of the steps a stack of brand new red sneakers illustrates the metaphor with a small black ant drawn on a red label placed on the sole. At the exit of the show a sneaker is offered to all those who are fed up with being squashed like the brave little ant and to all those who already regret having stepped on the most persevering and brave insect of the animal world. What a metaphor for a work of art and what a stroke of inspiration to memorize this event!
 Yo.BASTONI AKIRA the warrior, 2012 205X60X45 © Yo.BASTONI
Born in 1961. Lives and works in Provence
• TRAINING
1981-1983 - ECOLE SUPERIEURE D’ART - AIX EN PROVENCE
1980-1981 - VILLA ARSON - NICE - Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’art contemporain (National Superior Institute of Contemporary Art)
• ENGAGEMENTS
2003 – Course given at the Lycée Montgrand in Marseille to students in the Visual Arts section
2004 - Member of the Board of Administration of the National Union of Visual Sculptors
2012 – Qualified Member for the Artistic Committees in PACA to the DRAC
• EXHIBITIONS IN GALLERIES
GALERIE YANN BERTHEAS – VICHY: exhibit together with Robert COMBAS, BEN, ARMAN, BUDDY DI ROSA, PETER KLASEN, Didier CHAMIZO. Benjamin SPARK.
CONTEMPORAIN ART-GALLERY – SAINT-ETIENNE exhibit together with: David SPILLER, Bram BOGART, Théo KOSKA.
ART-CONCEPT – ROANNE exhibit with: Claude VENARD, Antonio SEGUI.
CRID’ART - METZ exhibit together with: MIRALLES, RUTA, BRUNAUD Jean Philippe.
Exhibit with: Eric BOTTERO, Patrick MIMRAN, Hervé DI ROSA, ERRO, Peter KLASEN, Hans HARTUNG, Alexandre CALDER.
ARTABAN PARIS – Sélection Contemporaine Art et Design, exhibit with: Philippe BERRY, Nicolas ALEXANDRE, JIANGIUO, Philippe HIQUILY, LIHONG LI, etc…
• COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
ST’ART STRASBOURG 2008/2009/2010 - LILLE ART FAIR 2011
ARTENIM 2007/2008/2009/210/2011 - ART-METZ 2004/2005/2006/2007 - SM’ART AIX from 2006 to 2012
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