I really like the word still life. Something alive, but with no movement. It makes me think of the children’s game, 1, 2, 3 Soleil, where you need to freeze when a designated player shouts the word sun! You need to stay perfectly still, and the player has to observe if anybody is moving, making any signs of life. Everybody is alive; it’s just a game of pretending for a moment that time has simply stopped. - Nicolas Party
With most of the world going in and out of lockdown constantly, our lifes have changed drastically. No more socializing at gallery openings, no more late nights at the museum and first and foremost: much more time being spent at home.
Nicolas Party`s still lifes radiate such peace and calmness that one couldn't help but sit down, relax and marvel at their beauty.
When asked why still lifes play such an important role in his Œuvre, Party replied:
"I really like the word “still life”. Something alive, but with no movement. It makes me think of the children’s game, “1, 2, 3 Soleil”, where you need to freeze when a designated player shouts the word “sun!” You need to stay perfectly still, and the player has to observe if anybody is moving, making any signs of life. Everybody is alive; it’s just a game of pretending for a moment that time has simply stopped." - Nicolas Party interviewed by Rita Vitorelli for Spike Art Magazine.
Isn't this the perfect notion to deal with this pandemic? Just think of it as a game of pretending for a moment that time has simply stopped? And wait for someone to shout the word "sun!" so we can all start moving again?
In the meantime, we will just sit down, relax and marvel at Nicolas' soothing still lifes.