Luxemburg, Schlachthof / Slaughterhouse, Le Havre

Rut Blees LUXEMBURG (1967), Schlachthof / Slaughterhouse, Le Havre, 2008, colour photography, C-print, 155 x 200 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Rut Blees Luxemburg © Adagp, Paris
Rut Blees LUXEMBURG (1967), Schlachthof / Slaughterhouse, Le Havre, 2008, colour photography, C-print, 155 x 200 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Rut Blees Luxemburg © Adagp, Paris
Like Vincenzo Castella, Rut Blees Luxemburg was invited to photograph Rouen, Le Havre and Caen for the exhibition "Voyages pittoresques. Normandie 1820–2009" presented in instalments at the museums of the three cities in 2009.

The artist walked Le Havre by night, wandering the streets and exploring the outlying neighbourhoods. As she walked along the fence of the abattoir, she discovered this pillar crowned with a sculpted ox head. The monumental quality of this architectural element conjures up the image of a Pagan idol. Signs of wear (spray of brownish liquid—blood?), the gloomy surroundings (barbed wire) and night lighting all contribute to the strange impression of a place and object associated with some sort of archaic rite.

Donated by the artist to MuMa

Works acquired in 2010 (7)

Rut Blees LUXEMBURG (1967), Schlachthof / Slaughterhouse, Le Havre, 2008, colour photography, C-print, 155 x 200 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Rut Blees Luxemburg © Adagp, Paris
Xavier ZIMMERMANN (1966), CC07, 2009, photograph printed on a plotter, 118 x 148 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Xavier Zimmermann
Pierre CRETON (1966), Papa, Maman, Perret and Me (an apartment as witness), 2009, photogram (video). © MuMa Le Havre / Pierre Creton
Vincenzo CASTELLA (1952), Le Havre I, 2008, C-print, 180 x 225 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Vincenzo Castella
Gabriele BASILICO (1944-2013), The Volcan from Place Général De Gaulle, 1984, black and white photography, 50 x 60 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Gabriele Basilico
Thibaut CUISSET (1958-2017), Roncherolles-en-Bray, 2006-2009, , 92 x 125 cm. © MuMa Le Havre / Thibault Cuisset
Corinne MERCADIER (1955), Lunar Square III, “Longue distance” series, 2005, digital prints on barite paper, 70 x 120 cm. © Corinne Mercadier