Christian Boltanski

Christian Boltanski was born on the 6th September 1944 in Paris France, as a French artist he is best known for his sculpture, painting, photography/film maker and instillation art. some of his most iconic work includes his sound installation "The Whispers" a pyramid shaped stone with a flat top and loads of holes at Folkestone Triennal, this commission when wind passes through it the piece is said to howl as if voices can be heard from with in the stone.

In 1986 Boltanski began to create mixed media and material art instillations with light being the fundamental element at the heart of his work, this concept was used to create art from shadows, for where there is light a shadow must be cast and inevitable concept he followed during the construction of his commissions. one of his most famous pieces (Chases Schools, 1986-1987)  replicates children running and recreates photos of mass kidnapping of Jewish children in Vienna. this is a constant and forceful reminder of the mass murder of Jews by the Nazis, his commission was design to trigger contemplation and remorse in regards to reconstruct lost memory's of the past which all choose to forget and ignore.

Whilst creating his instillation Reserve ( and exhibition at Basel, museum Genenwartskunst, 1989) Boltanski filled rooms and corridors with worn clothing, this was an action to trigger human emotions for loss and tragedy, but also self remorse and guilt. this was in an attempt to replicate concentration camps. as with all his previous commissions Boltanski used items to serve as the constant reminder humans encounters and tragic suffering. another example of his work was a commission called monument (Odessa) this instillations used 6 photographs  of Jewish students in 1939 the light in this piece represent Yahrzeit Candles in honor and remembrance of the departed.     " My work is about the fact of dying but is not about the Holocaust itself." (Quote from Christian Boltanski)