The French-Swiss graphic artist benknown for his slogans written in white handwritten letters on a black background, died at the age of 88 in Nice, official sources reported on Wednesday. Benjamin Vautier (Ben’s real name) “was found dead at his home,” announced the Nice prosecutor’s office, according to which “the first elements indicate a gunshot wound.”
The prosecution added that an investigation has been opened “to clarify the causes of death.” “The world of culture loses a legend,” the Minister of Culture wrote on social networks. rachida Date. “A goldsmith of language, Ben leaves behind nearly 12,000 artistic creations,” the minister continued. “His humorous writings, sometimes satirical, have accompanied and marked generations,” she added.
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, revealed on Instagram that the day before he had learned of the death of the artist’s wife, Annie. “They are reunited as they always were,” explained the mayor, who announced a tribute to Ben shortly. Born in Naples in 1935, the French-Swiss artist, founder of the Nice School together with Arman, Yves Klein and Martial Raysselived in that coastal city in the southeast of France since he was 14 years old.
The phrases of ben They can be found on countless objects, from coffee mugs to t-shirts, posters or even paintings. They are written in rounded calligraphy, often in white paint on a black background, and at first glance appear to have come from the head of a mischievous schoolboy. “What is art for?”, “What is new is always new?”, “What are you doing here?”, “I don’t understand anything” or “My biggest concern is me.”
ben He was the subject of anthological exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and at the Pompidou Center in Paris, and last year the University Museum of Mexico dedicated the largest retrospective organized in the Hispanic world to him.
Source: AFP
© Agence France-Presse
