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The Kitschiest Gnomes: A Brief Examination of the French Group Présence Panchounette's Activities, Disdain for Conceptualism, and Implementation of Gnomes (1969-1990)

Cope, Katherine C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273002518

Abstract Details

2010, MA, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Art History.
The artist collective Présence Panchounette of Bordeaux, France, made significant contributions to contemporary art in France from 1969 until 1990. Here I examine the history, the ideas, and the works of the group, and argue for Présence Panchounette’s contribution in making contemporary art more accessible to the general public. Within the last few decades, French centers for contemporary art have mounted exhibitions that celebrate the works of Présence Panchounette and its peers, yet little attention has been given to these artists in the United States. The group was among the forerunners of the appropriation movement in France that aimed to analyze the industrialization and commercialism of the 20th century. The Situationist International, Dadaists, and other historical avant-gardes influenced Présence Panchounette’s interest and participation in the appropriation movement and the group’s desire to appeal to the proletariat. Présence Panchounette practiced the détournement method of art making, which originated as a Situationist International technique. By the time Présence Panchounette disbanded, it had left giant plastic dwarves in Paris and Bordeaux, France, readymades such as a taxidermy deer head and weight bench with books, and the “chounette spirit.” This “chounette spirit” revoked any intellectual formulization of art works and led to a more casual and enjoyable art form without specialist meanings. I also examine Présence Panchounette’s use of garden gnomes. The group’s use of gnomes reinforces notions of kitsch and the common man, much like the rest of the group’s installation works, in order to appeal to an audience not steeped in historical art references. Présence Panchounette’s success is evident through the popularity of the group’s work among the common classes.
Kimberly Paice, PhD (Committee Chair)
Kristi Ann Nelson, PhD (Committee Member)
Theresa Leininger-Miller, PhD (Committee Member)
100 p.
Art History
Pr&233; sence Panchounette; gnomes; Kitsch; readymades; France

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Cope, K. C. (2010). The Kitschiest Gnomes: A Brief Examination of the French Group Présence Panchounette's Activities, Disdain for Conceptualism, and Implementation of Gnomes (1969-1990) [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273002518

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Cope, Katherine. The Kitschiest Gnomes: A Brief Examination of the French Group Présence Panchounette's Activities, Disdain for Conceptualism, and Implementation of Gnomes (1969-1990). 2010. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273002518.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Cope, Katherine. "The Kitschiest Gnomes: A Brief Examination of the French Group Présence Panchounette's Activities, Disdain for Conceptualism, and Implementation of Gnomes (1969-1990)." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273002518

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.