Charles Matton: Enclosures [Hardcover]

Though not especially well known in the uk, we saw an exhibition of this artists work in Paris about three years ago and were blown away. He is as much a sculptor as a photographer and the book covers a wide range of his highly innovative work. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in fine art photography. DC.

This beautifully produced book tells us something about the unusual French artist Charles Matton, who died in 2008. Matton will be known in this country for his `enclosures' or boxes containing meticulously constructed scenes at 1:7 scale. A recent exhibition in London and wide press coverage will have brought Matton to the attention of many who will have previously been unaware of his work. This English language book is a very welcome publication for those who wish to know more about the work of this fascinating and enigmatic man.
Matton produced a number of `enclosures' depicting scenes which had a particular resonance for him. He carefully planned the work often painting works of art full size and then reducing them to decorate the walls of the `enclosures'. He was fascinated with the work of Bacon, Gaciometti, Picasso and Valasquez and produced scenes depicting their studios and many series of photographs, paintings and drawings slowly distorting the original highly realistic views in ways reminiscent of the work of these artists. Matton was also interested in perception and produced intriguing views of libraries and wine cellars that appear to recede far beyond the confines of the `enclosure'. Other constructions recall visits to places that he wished to recall, sometimes because they were extraordinary, but sometimes because they were very ordinary such as rather bleak bathrooms. In all this work Matton demonstrates consummate skill in drawing, painting, sculpture and photography apart from the immense talent required to produce the exquisite `enclosures'. I do not use the word `model' as Matton's work is meant to invoke thoughts or ideas about vision, memory and perception - not just a scene.
The book is essentially illustrations of the available collected work of the artist including reproductions of his original plans and notes, views of the `enclosures' and many photographs, paintings and sculptures associated with them. A number of photographic 3-D pairs are provided so that the reader may appreciate the depth of the `enclosures' and a viewer enclosed with the book.
This book is an illustrated collection of Matton's work and is definitely not a biography as almost no biographical information is provided. However, for those wishing to see something of the artists creations this book is invaluable. I did not find the short preface of any great value.