Social climbing

The gallery's
opinion

The technique of lenticular holography used by Dominique Mulhem allows our eye to perceive very clearly the effects of three-dimensional planes. The proof is in the behaviour of visitors to the gallery who try to gauge the thickness of the work, as if it were a box, containing objects and scenery positioned one behind the other. Sometimes the children, deceived by the optical illusion, also reach out with their hands and try to grasp the elements represented in the foreground.

On the chic staircase of the « Social climbing », the iconic Louboutin shoe with its emblematic vermillion red sole seems to be a major accessory. The leitmotif of the famous shoe regularly signs Dominique Mulhem’s paintings, like a reference of contemporary pop culture. The choice of this shoe is perhaps not insignificant: in addition to being elegant, this accessory is designed to be noticed, to signify membership of a high class. A critique of the social hierarchy, based solely on distinction? From art to satire, there is only one step…

The frame, with a rod covered with a smoked mirror lacquer, contributes to sublimate this very beautiful piece.