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Philippe Bertho - Money Gold
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Money - it has been called “the root of all evil” and “what makes the world go round.” We all need it, desire it and seek it - for various reasons and different motivations.
Philippe Bertho has chosen to make the ever-powerful medium of exchange the theme of his latest graphic suite simply titled Money. A set of two works on gesso board, the individual images are aptly named Money Red and Money Gold - passionate colors to signify money as a powerful recognized measure of value.
The composition of each of Bertho’s panels relies on three separate fields. In Money Gold, they run horizontally with the center gold column being the hub of action. Within that area is one of Bertho’s omnipresent circles, (the shape he says he is compelled to paint), surrounded by the words “money” in capitol letters. Is Bertho playing on the famous quote. Within that dimension, true to form, Bertho has created a playful world of fantasy that includes a man sitting side ways atop a red swivel chair that floats in the atmosphere. The man in casual clothing is gesturing in an animated fashion while talking on the telephone. Is he simply enjoying himself because he has plenty of money and can spend some leisure time chatting with friends. Or, is he on the phone with his broker excitedly deciding what his next financial move will be.
In Money Red, with its vertical fields, the center panel contains a yellow circle with grey dots Bertho has allowed us to zoom in on. Lying inside the bottom curve of the circle is bare-footed man who gestures with a glass of champagne. With his right hand, he holds his cell phone tightly against his ear. Between his outstretched feet is a copy of the day’s newspaper that he appears to read while talking on the telephone. Is he perhaps celebrating the latest profits from his stock ventures.
Whatever the situation, we cannot help but smile at the images of these two men multi-tasking in their floating worlds. By presenting them in amusing scenarios and poses, is Philippe Bertho asking us to take this typically serious subject of money much more lightly. Or, is he suggesting, by having them float in bubbles that can burst at any time, that money may be fleeting, but life itself is precious. We can tell you this - He refuses to answer.
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