Pierre Soulages: Black Light
Pierre Soulages: Black Light

Movie spotlight

Pierre Soulages: Black Light

1998
Movie
50 min
English

"When speaking of light, in connection with black, this sounds paradoxical. However, in reality, black is a colour of light. You cannot imagine there to be light without black being there, also", Soulages explains - one of the most important French artists of the post-war period. Not only his paintings, but also his glass window works for the abbey in Conques and his self-designed house in Sete, seem like poems made up of light and space. Using 80 specially selected works, the brilliant artist talks about the individual segments of his creative period and provides an insight into the philosophy and aesthetics of his poetic work.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Jean-Pierre KriefGenres: Documentary, Art

Plot Summary

This documentary delves into the life and work of the renowned French abstract painter Pierre Soulages. It explores his unique artistic journey, focusing on his signature 'outrenoir' (beyond black) technique, which pushes the boundaries of the perception of black. The film offers insights into his creative process and the philosophical underpinnings of his art.

Critical Reception

As a documentary focused on an artist's life and work, critical reception is more about its effectiveness as a portrait and exploration of art. Reviews generally praise its insightful look into Soulages's contribution to abstract art and his profound 'outrenoir' concept, highlighting its educational value for art enthusiasts.

What Reviewers Say

  • Offers a deep dive into the groundbreaking 'outrenoir' technique.

  • Provides valuable context for understanding Soulages's significant artistic legacy.

  • An engaging visual and intellectual exploration of a master abstract painter.

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Fun Fact

Pierre Soulages's 'outrenoir' works are characterized by the way light reflects off the textured surfaces of thick black paint, creating a luminous effect that seems to transcend the color black itself.

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