About the artwork
A glass dome encloses a sculptural arrangement featuring two taxidermied birds adorned with small, colorful party hats, positioned on a white, ornate base. The base itself appears to be a porcelain or ceramic sculpture depicting a figure, possibly a classical or rococo-style subject, rendered in monochrome white. The birds, with their dark bodies and vibrant blue and yellow markings on their heads, wear miniature party hats decorated with rhinestones and colorful bands. One bird has a pink ribbon tied around its neck, while the other has a green one. The overall composition is set on a dark wooden base, with the text "Le bonheur gelé d’une nuit" inscribed on the white platform beneath the sculpture. The artwork combines elements of natural history display with contemporary artistic intervention, juxtaposing the preserved natural forms of the birds with artificial, celebratory accessories. The use of taxidermy places the work within a tradition of artists who engage with themes of life, death, and preservation, often with a surreal or allegorical intent. The phrase "Le bonheur gelé d’une nuit" (The frozen happiness of a night) suggests a narrative of ephemeral joy captured or suspended in time, contrasting the static nature of the taxidermy with the fleeting concept of happiness.
Expert opinion
This work exemplifies the contemporary use of taxidermy as a sculptural medium, a practice that gained prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Artists employing taxidermy often engage with themes of mortality, memory, and the human relationship with the natural world, frequently imbuing their animal subjects with anthropomorphic qualities or placing them in unexpected contexts. Les Deux Garçons have established a position within this niche, creating works that are both visually engaging and conceptually layered, often prompting reflection on environmental concerns and the fragility of nature. The market for their work is stable, with collectors drawn to their distinctive aesthetic and the narrative depth of their pieces.
About the artist
Les Deux Garçons is the collaborative artist duo of Michel Vanderheijden van Tinteren (born 1965) and Roel Moonen (born 1966), both Dutch artists who met while studying plastic design at the Academy of Visual Arts in Maastricht. They have worked together under the name Atelier Les Deux Garçons since 2000. The duo's artistic practice encompasses collages, assemblages, paintings, bronze sculptures, and installations, with a notable focus on taxidermy. Their work often involves the use of mounted animals, which they source legally from taxidermists and zoos, ensuring the animals died naturally and adhering to CITES convention regulations for protected species. Les Deux Garçons are recognized for transforming natural elements into artistic creations that explore themes such as the transient nature of existence, the boundaries between life and death, and the interplay between fantasy and reality. Their works are frequently exhibited internationally at art and design fairs, and are held in collections such as the Niarchos Foundation and the Fondation Pierre Bergé et Yves Saint Laurent.
Additional info
3x
OTHER ARTWORKS YOU MAY LIKE
Your Dynamic Snippet will be displayed here...
This message is displayed because you did not provide both a filter and a template to use.