Le monde entier est un cactus (totem #1)

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• Joel asked

  Is the title of this work inspired by the song “Le Cactus” by Jacques Dutronc?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Joel, yes, nice that you have noticed this! We too think the song was an inspiration, as the title is derived directly from it. Kind regards, Els

• Branko asked

  What does it mean?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Branko, thank you for your question. It is not easy to answer it because there is not one single clear meaning to be discovered. The artists challenges you, the viewer, to look good and try to construct a meaning from what you see: a totemic figure that is made from various ceramic forms in blue, rosa-red and yellow. Just the look tells you that the figure, unlike an ordinary totem, is quite vulnerable. The title of the work (translated: The whole world is a cactus) refers to a 1966 song by the French chansonnier Jacques Dutronc. The song deals with distress and anxiety in a humorous and at the same time melancholic way. I hope this helps you to look at the work with new eyes. Kind regards, Els