The statement that «constant play consists of evasion», escaping or fleeing from reality, is an aphorism used by the Algerian-French philosopher Albert Camus (1913-1960) in his essay Le mythe de Sisyphe from 1942. In this publication, the author explores the philosophy of the absurd, a reflection that takes Greek mythology as its starting point, specifically the episode of Sisyphus: after angering the gods, the king of Corinth, was punished to push a boulder to the top of a mountain, which would then roll back down to the valley from which he had started. It is this action, which would be repeated indefinitely, that intrigued Camus, and how the figure of Sisyphus reflects our monotonous lives. However, the illusion of reaching the summit is an attempt to break free from his reality and thus give meaning to his existence.
Similary, artist Yann Leto (Bordeaux, 1979) presents us through his work with a variety of scenarios in which we are invited to escape, evade, take risks, play or jump, driven by both our passions and our torments, evoking the illusion of Camus’s «absurd hero.» The artist makes use of the eloquence of painting in each gesture to reflect on the numerous themes that weigh heavily on us today, such as uncertainty, the loss of values, distrust, and lack of honesty, among others. However, in his works, the irony of each situation intertwines with the lyricism of forms, colour, and the circumstances presented.
Ultimately, Leto’s works invite us to explore the human condition, the way we relate to contexts, and the true meaning of intentions, emotions or needs. To achieve this, the artist experiments with these circumstances and then translates them into his work. These acts serve as a means of escape for the author and subsequently for the spectator. Thus, both the artist’s experience and the result, the artwork, become a great escape, even if only for a brief moment, from «that absurdity» that often surrounds us.
PhD. Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos
Galería de imágenes
