[Title] empty swimming pool (the mistake)
[Artist] Philippe Ramette
[Date] November 17, 2005 – January 17, 2006
The 2005 annual theme “As the river flows” ends in the witty expression of “an empty pool whose water has been drained.”
It was the artist Philippe Ramette who chose the artificial motif of “pool” out of our natural theme, “river.” This mode of expressing ironic humor by choosing contrasting objects (such as nature vs. artifice) is Ramette’s forte.
Covered in blue tiles and equipped with a ladder and spotlights, the window truly presents a view inside a pool. Standing inside is a pair of man and woman, who stare at the drain in astonishment. The man stands with the lid of the drain in hand, apparently having removed the lid. What surrounds the couple is a sense of guilt for draining the water. What is presented in the window is this single scene, where the atmosphere of awkwardness permeates.
But the reason why there is no water in the pool is simply because the season is winter. The artist has expressed his wit by creating a sense of season in delicate ways. In this collaboration that centers upon a story, Hermès’ products are arrested onto the figures who are protagonists of this momentary story. The artist has repeatedly expressed themes surrounding the sense of guilt, which often form the main theme of his artistic expression, and this collaboration is no exception.
It is also worth noticing that the products, which are left in the pool after the water has been drained, are consciously placed in the direction of the drain.
Philippe Ramette
Paris-based artist born in 1961. Ramette is known for his unique expression which mixes irony and surrealist thought. In 2001, Ramette held a solo exhibition at “La Verrière- Hermès” in Brussels.