Social climbing

The gallery's
opinion

“Social climbing” is a contemporary painting with 3D effect by the painter and multimedia artist Dominique Mulhem.

THE TECHNIQUE

Dominique Mulhem uses lenticular holography in his holopaintings. He was one of the first artists to use this technique in the 1970s. He is considered one of the pioneers of holography and the very first multimedia artist.

On the one hand, the technique used by Dominique Mulhem allows the eye to perceive three-dimensional effects. Moreover, the behaviour of visitors to the art gallery is revealing in this respect. They often try to gauge the thickness of the work. They imagine it as a box containing objects positioned one behind the other. Sometimes the children, deceived by the optical illusion, even bring their hands closer. They try to grasp the elements represented in the foreground.

This work is neither sculpture, nor painting, nor photography, nor digital art, but perhaps all at once, it is holopainting.

THE WORK

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.