François Curlet

The explanatory leaflet of the item specifies that it is a ​“gen­er­a­tional super­po­si­tion of the Muslim communities: association of traditional clothes and brand sportswear”[1]. The formal device put in place and the identity-based sense of belonging of a youth that oscillates between two cultures are juxtaposed. François Curlet’s djellabas testify to the feeling of non-belonging of a whole generation that does not recognise itself in the model of the country of origin nor in the society in which it tries to exist. This duality, translated with humour by the artist, highlights the need to invent new forms of belonging, compatible and appropriate to socio­cul­tur­al trans­for­ma­tions. François Curlet thus tries to solve a paradox by bringing together signs and forms anchored in both traditional culture and Western consumer society.

[1] MARY, Francis, in : Curlet. Catalogue. 128 p., Edition cneai, Chatou, 2003, # 38.