CAC Brétigny

Collaborating with craftsmen and industry specialists in fields as varied as cabinetmaking, metal working, and advertising, Florian Sumi creates total works of art. The manufactured or industrial object goes through various changes in films and installations in which he orchestrates everything, from the setting to the choreography.

For his residency, Sumi would like to study and use the know-how of the region’s professionals and amateurs. The artist is thus working with the metallurgy and boilermaking departments of the Lycée Jean-Pierre Timbaud (Brétigny-sur-Orge), which is located near the art center. Using designs drawn up by Sumi, the students are involved in the manufacturing process of an abstract artwork that will figure in the “MEMBRAINS” exhibition. This stainless-steel piece are communication channels for specialized knowledge and know-how, and thus a pretext for exchanging information, allowing both the artist to diversify the techniques he can deploy in his works, and the students to see the variety of fields in which metallurgy and boilermaking can be applied.

By approaching art through the actual working of metals and meeting the artist, the students of the two professional departments enjoy the opportunity to discover the links between industrial manufacturing, art, and skilled handiwork.

A graduate of Dijon’s School of Fine Arts under the guidance of Marc-Camille Chaimowicz, Florian Sumi (b. 1984, Dijon, France) lives and works in Paris. He is represented by the Galerie Escougnou-Cetraro (Paris). Sumi was the artist in residence at Le Parc Saint-Léger between 2012 and 2013 and exhibited at the PM Gallery in Berlin, Favorite Goods in Los Angeles, and FRAC Pays de la Loire. Between 2015 and 2016, he took part in several group shows, including “New Babylon” at the Galerie Escougnou-Cetraro (Paris); “D’autres possibles” at Le Pavillon Vendôme Contemporary Art Center, Clichy; “Les Incessants” at La Villa du Parc Contemporary Art Center, Annemasse; and “Janus: do you pray for me?” at the Machete Gallery of Mexico City. In 2017, the Galerie Escougnou-Cetraro presents his first solo show. Several Florian Sumi's artworks are part of collections such as Frac Pays de la Loire, Cube—Centre de création numérique (Issy-Les-Moulineaux) and Collection Famille Servais.