Peter Ochabski
A. O'Cain
Art 201
Apr 2nd, 2013

Despite his Polish last name Boltanski was born in Paris is 1944. He started painting and drawing at the age of 12 and creativity seems to be an integral part of his life. Also at 12 was self described as "very crazy" and stopped going to school. At home his family was supportive of his work and he learned English from his brother. He also works in film, photography and installations.
He seems to focus on the emotional through the physical. Many of his works are made of lost of abandoned and unidentified possessions from mass transit stations and airports. He believes that every person is unique, but disappears very quickly.
He has been recognized all over the world by prestigious institutions and museums from London and Helsinki to Venice and Madrid.
A quote of his that I love "One of the beauties of my life is that I never work. I'm lazy and I have no other way to work. I teach this to my students: you must wait and hope - there's nothing else you can do. And when you have an idea, you can do it in ten minutes."
"death is something we all have in common" He uses it to engage the viewer and create a common ground.
He speaks often of going to his studio and sitting around doing nothing, until an idea happens. He also frequently goes to Paris for inspiration calling it "mystical".
"sometimes you make mistakes, but sometimes its true. In two minutes you understand what you must do for the next two years."
He loves the dichotomy of our relationship with the dead, "we hate to see them, but we love them.
"The good artists are usually the very young or the very old. The ones who are very young are so stupid that they have no fear. And when they are very old they aren't afraid any more. In the meantime, you are always, always, afraid.'

http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/video/christian-boltanski-talking...
Works Cited
Spears, Dorothy. "Exploring Mortality With Clothes and a Claw." The New York Times. 11 May. 2010.
Details Bokanski's "No Man's Land" from its construction to its meaning. Detailed input from the artist on his intent and emotions. Focuses on the idea that you can keep things but you can't keep people. Exhibit encourages people to record and "keep" their own heartbeats in an adjoining room that is part of the exhibit. Also includes video and details about the artists past.
Image: Béatrice de Géa for The New York Times
Works Cited
Park Avenue Armory. Web. May 2010.
Details about the No Mans Land exhibit with video and gallery of Boltanski's works. Also contains great links.
http://www.armoryonpark.org/index.php/programs_events/detail/christian_b...
Photos by: Bjoern Meyer-Ebrecht
Works Cited
Marian Goodman Gallery. Web. 2012.
Wonderful site with a detailed account of Boltanski's work including exhibits, gallery solo shows, and group shows with an amazing biography that recounts Boltanski's life from birth in 1944 to 2009.
http://www.mariangoodman.com/artists/christian-boltanski/
http://prod-images.exhibit-e.com/www_mariangoodman_com/e5651959.pdf
Works Cited
Tate.org.uk . Web.
Multiple fascinating articles including video interview with the artist. Also includes a article focused on Boltanski's studio, projects and life in general.
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/christian-boltanski-2305
http://www.tate.org.uk/search/boltanski