[maximeballesteros]

Lost and found 3 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZvPTmcI-3A/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

Lost and found 2 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZrAvPWIKoe/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

'Artifices' on view at the Kunsthalle Bratislava all month. Curated by @me_lafontaine The works of Maxime Ballesteros are complex readings of contemporary society. Existing in a sort of twilight space of situations we recognize but don’t understand, they portray settings and journeys which seem to enter into a suspended state of the mind. Ballesteros work exists firmly within the visualizations of liminal spaces, a sort of psychological rest stop between departure and destination. His protagonists, caught within the act of candid – yet somehow holy – actions, resist questioning in their confidence. At the same time, we cannot help but ask ourselves how these strange circumstances arise. Themes of dominance, desire, excitement and expectations all loom large; however, the subjects are neither in pleasure nor pain – they are simply existing, caught seemingly unawares in the throes of absurd circumstances. However, whether staged or not, Ballesteros’s theater is charged with a sort of mysticism that clashes with the scenes portrayed on the film. Through a lens darkly, the reality becomes twisted, and the threshold between the sacred and profane becomes increasingly blurred. Ballesteros works exclusively in analogue. His subjects reveal exaggerated, mannerist influences in elongated limbs and projections. Strange, awkward, limpid and yet highly emotional, the subjects embody as sort of passive languidness which is both strangely touching and disturbing. As a viewer, we crave a rational explanation for their existence. When we can’t come up with one, sometimes we avoid it altogether. But more often than not, repulsed and attracted, our gaze results in a voyeurism which is both invited and entertained. (Words by @me_lafontaine) (à Kunsthalle Bratislava) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0MiydINzR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

'mirrors', Paris, and 'artifices', Hamburg, 2018 (Part of @fs.art_florian_schmid and @nymphiusprojekte 'Compressed time' exhibition opening today in Berlin, Potsdamer Straße 102) (à Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/COPzK1nDT0u/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

Marion sailing, Berlin, 2017 @marioncrampe (à Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPdB361jBrL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

Violette in blue, Berlin, 2015 @violette_wilsonn styled by @marcgoehring for #Garrett (à Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPlGouYjYWQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

We're in the south of Andalusia, driving along the Spanish coast for a few days and a couple thousands of kilometres already. It's late, I can't find the right door. We're supposed to stay here for a night or two before going back on the road. A week later i don't wanna leave. Thank you @ricosuaveyatusabe for the prolonged hospitality, making us feel like home with your family. And thank you @andreavandall for being a guardian angel and more. 1/3 (à Motril, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwbQPajkKM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

2/3 We're in the south of Andalusia, driving along the Spanish coast for a few days and a couple thousands of kilometres already. It's late, I can't find the right door. We're supposed to stay here for a night or two before going back on the road. A week later i don't wanna leave. Thank you for the prolonged hospitality @ricosuaveyatusabe , making us feel like home with your family. And thank you @andreavandall for being a guardian angel and more. (à Motril, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwdCqojmXi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

3/3 We're in the south of Andalusia, driving along the Spanish coast for a few days and a couple thousands of kilometres already. It's late, I can't find the right door. We're supposed to stay here for a night or two before going back on the road. A week later i don't wanna leave. Thank you for the prolonged hospitality @ricosuaveyatusabe , making us feel like home with your family. And thank you @andreavandall for being a guardian angel and more. (à Motril, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwd25mD-R1/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

@marceloburlon @countyofmilan SS22 Thank you @brahimhassan.n, @_this__is__luka, @solanolegessa (and @sarahlittle ) for running around the castle with me, and to the loveliest team @sosozeldaa @miwamoroki @josephineconen @iconoclast_germany @iconoclast.tv @tiguide.baeyens, Filip, Nicolo, Miriam, Ilaria 1/3 (à Château de Franconville) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvum0wjbxM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

For @dumitrascultd with angels @sarahlittle @_pandorama @marissaseraphin 1/2 (à Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSLmrEjoQ7w/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

2/2 for @dumitrascultd with angels @_pandorama @sarahlittle @marissaseraphin (à Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSLnyCOIXwY/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

slide, Volonne, 2020 (à Volonne) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTlIlStITk6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

Flore, de marbre, disparaissant dans le papier peint. Prades, 2016 (à Prades, Languedoc-Roussillon, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU5xicloEgV/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

'Artifices' on view this month at Kunsthalle Bratislava. Curated by @me_lafontaine The works of Maxime Ballesteros are complex readings of contemporary society. Existing in a sort of twilight space of situations we recognize but don’t understand, they portray settings and journeys which seem to enter into a suspended state of the mind. Ballesteros work exists firmly within the visualizations of liminal spaces, a sort of psychological rest stop between departure and destination. His protagonists, caught within the act of candid – yet somehow holy – actions, resist questioning in their confidence. At the same time, we cannot help but ask ourselves how these strange circumstances arise. Themes of dominance, desire, excitement and expectations all loom large; however, the subjects are neither in pleasure nor pain – they are simply existing, caught seemingly unawares in the throes of absurd circumstances. However, whether staged or not, Ballesteros’s theater is charged with a sort of mysticism that clashes with the scenes portrayed on the film. Through a lens darkly, the reality becomes twisted, and the threshold between the sacred and profane becomes increasingly blurred. Ballesteros works exclusively in analogue. His subjects reveal exaggerated, mannerist influences in elongated limbs and projections. Strange, awkward, limpid and yet highly emotional, the subjects embody as sort of passive languidness which is both strangely touching and disturbing. As a viewer, we crave a rational explanation for their existence. When we can’t come up with one, sometimes we avoid it altogether. But more often than not, repulsed and attracted, our gaze results in a voyeurism which is both invited and entertained. Words by Marie Ève Lafontaine (à Kunsthalle Bratislava) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVz3pmJo9Z8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

'Artifices' on view at Kunsthalle Bratislava this month, curated by @me_lafontaine (à Kunsthalle Bratislava) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0tXQaoRtH/?utm_medium=tumblr

[maximeballesteros]

I guess the sculptor had a vision ? Wishing the very best to everyone for this new year ! May we glide safely in and out lockdowns and isolation, holding our breath, elegantly containing the sound of our cheeks deflating as we try to smile to one another. (As always, sorry for the broken english) La muse, Paris, 2015 (à Paris) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYaIOJyIN_v/?utm_medium=tumblr