About The Artist
Marie-Lou Desmeules, alias Lou Rie, is a Canadian artist whose work explores the construction of identity. She created X-metic surgery, which consists of transforming people into twisted look-alikes of pop celebrities and iconic figures through a process that mimics plastic surgery.
Her work first became known with her series "Celebrities" - about the power of the image and how we too often idolize people for what they are not. Her work invites us to question notions of beauty, the growing plastic surgery industry, gender and identity, while at the same time asking viewers to rethink the role of the image in today's image-obsessed society.
Lou Rie has exhibited and performed internationally. Recent shows include Façade, an urban interactive video installation in Montreal, Canada and Clone Corrupt, a duo at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Aspen, CO, USA, where she was also awarded an Artist-in-Residence. Her films have been screened at Interfilm Festival in Berlin, Germany, Women in Animation in New York and on Nowness, among others. Her work has been featured in Vice, Huffington Post, and Believe it or not, to name a few.
Lou Rie was recently commissioned by Turner Broadcasting to feature her living sculptures in the Bob Pop's TV series Maricón Perdido that will see the light on June 18th 2021. She is actually working on a video project with a music producer from Vancouver and a film team from Barcelona. She is also working on RAM, a urban interactive project with her collective Les Slacheurs from Montreal. After living for a decade in Berlin, Lou Rie moved to Spain in 2010 and currently lives and works in Barcelona.
Her work first became known with her series "Celebrities" - about the power of the image and how we too often idolize people for what they are not. Her work invites us to question notions of beauty, the growing plastic surgery industry, gender and identity, while at the same time asking viewers to rethink the role of the image in today's image-obsessed society.
Lou Rie has exhibited and performed internationally. Recent shows include Façade, an urban interactive video installation in Montreal, Canada and Clone Corrupt, a duo at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Aspen, CO, USA, where she was also awarded an Artist-in-Residence. Her films have been screened at Interfilm Festival in Berlin, Germany, Women in Animation in New York and on Nowness, among others. Her work has been featured in Vice, Huffington Post, and Believe it or not, to name a few.
Lou Rie was recently commissioned by Turner Broadcasting to feature her living sculptures in the Bob Pop's TV series Maricón Perdido that will see the light on June 18th 2021. She is actually working on a video project with a music producer from Vancouver and a film team from Barcelona. She is also working on RAM, a urban interactive project with her collective Les Slacheurs from Montreal. After living for a decade in Berlin, Lou Rie moved to Spain in 2010 and currently lives and works in Barcelona.
Artist Statement
X-metic surgery is an ongoing project that I started in Berlin in 2008. I transform people into twisted lookalikes of pop celebrities, iconic figures and archetypes through a process that mimics plastic surgery.
Instead of using Botox and a scalpel, I sculpt the new characters with my hands and brushes, wiping the identity of the model under layers of paint, packaging and hair. Finally, I capture the living sculptures in photo and video.
Inspired by "botched" plastic surgery, social masks and artists like Cindy Sherman and David Lynch, my work explores the construction of identity. It investigates the ambiguity between beauty and ugliness that contributes to the complexity of self-perception.
X-metic surgery aims to awaken the observer's awareness of what they represent through their mask in this image-obsessed society. This mask is created by the way they "curate" their image on social media, cosmetic surgery, beliefs and other filters that they consciously or unconsciously create.
I have performed more than a hundred surgeries, in more than a dozen countries. In this artistic ritual, gender, origin and social status are blended together. Beneath each living sculpture lies a unique story.
Instead of using Botox and a scalpel, I sculpt the new characters with my hands and brushes, wiping the identity of the model under layers of paint, packaging and hair. Finally, I capture the living sculptures in photo and video.
Inspired by "botched" plastic surgery, social masks and artists like Cindy Sherman and David Lynch, my work explores the construction of identity. It investigates the ambiguity between beauty and ugliness that contributes to the complexity of self-perception.
X-metic surgery aims to awaken the observer's awareness of what they represent through their mask in this image-obsessed society. This mask is created by the way they "curate" their image on social media, cosmetic surgery, beliefs and other filters that they consciously or unconsciously create.
I have performed more than a hundred surgeries, in more than a dozen countries. In this artistic ritual, gender, origin and social status are blended together. Beneath each living sculpture lies a unique story.
Born
Quebec, Canada / Lives and works in Barcelona, Spain
Education
BA, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
Awards
2020
Montreal Cultural Development Agreement between the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec
2017
Photography and new media, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
2000
New media, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
Montreal Cultural Development Agreement between the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec
2017
Photography and new media, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
2000
New media, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
Residencies
2020-2021
EART, Barcelona, Spain
2018
Uma Ari, Valencia, Spain
2017
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
2012
La Maison Bleue, Strasbourg, France
EART, Barcelona, Spain
2018
Uma Ari, Valencia, Spain
2017
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
2012
La Maison Bleue, Strasbourg, France
Collective
2020 till today
Co-founder and member of SLACHEURS
2006 till today
Co-founder and member of KATZ & STEVE
Co-founder and member of SLACHEURS
2006 till today
Co-founder and member of KATZ & STEVE
Selected Exhibitions, Performances & Art Fairs
2021
RAM, Les Nuits Blanches, Montreal, Canada
2020
I Am Everyone Anyone No One (solo), Barcelona, Spain
Façade, Montreal, Canada
House of Hoarders, Fields Project, NYC, USA
2019
Clone Corrupt (duo), Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
Unshot Film Stills, Donnerstag Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2017
Retouch, Galeria Duża Scena UAP, Poznan, Poland
Cirugías Transepidérmicas (solo), University of Valencia, Valencia, Espagne
Hybrid Art Fair, Madrid, Spain
2016
Weekend with Bernie, Brooklyn Wayfarers, New York, USA
Berliner Liste Art Fair, Berlin, Germany
2015
Live performance, Baraka, Bucarest, Romania
2014
Kim Jestés?, Inspiracje Festival, TRAFO Contemporary House of Art, Szczecin, Poland
Sustratos, IVAM Museum of Modern Art and Illustration, Valence, Spain
2012
I’ve got you under my skin (solo), La Maison Bleue, Strasbourg, France
Affordable Art Fair, Los Angeles, USA
2011
Albano Desmeules Samson, Stüdyo 9 İstanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
Decay, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2010
Insane-Irrung (solo), Neonchocolate Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Winter Salon, Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Du langage jusqu'à la chair! (solo), Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
2009
Fairytales of Berlin, Scion Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
Another break in the wall, Wannabe Gallery, Milan, Italy
2008
Fairytales of Berlin, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Marie Lou Desmeules (solo), Unique Gallery, Cologne, Germany
2007
Liste Köln Art Fair, Cologne, Germany
Melancholic Baby (solo), Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Abendsterne, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
2006
Fairytales of Berlin, Kulturhaus Vesterbo, Copenhagen, Danemark
Female signs – Lebewelt und andere Malaisen, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Female signs – Nocturne, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
RAM, Les Nuits Blanches, Montreal, Canada
2020
I Am Everyone Anyone No One (solo), Barcelona, Spain
Façade, Montreal, Canada
House of Hoarders, Fields Project, NYC, USA
2019
Clone Corrupt (duo), Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen, CO, USA
Unshot Film Stills, Donnerstag Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2017
Retouch, Galeria Duża Scena UAP, Poznan, Poland
Cirugías Transepidérmicas (solo), University of Valencia, Valencia, Espagne
Hybrid Art Fair, Madrid, Spain
2016
Weekend with Bernie, Brooklyn Wayfarers, New York, USA
Berliner Liste Art Fair, Berlin, Germany
2015
Live performance, Baraka, Bucarest, Romania
2014
Kim Jestés?, Inspiracje Festival, TRAFO Contemporary House of Art, Szczecin, Poland
Sustratos, IVAM Museum of Modern Art and Illustration, Valence, Spain
2012
I’ve got you under my skin (solo), La Maison Bleue, Strasbourg, France
Affordable Art Fair, Los Angeles, USA
2011
Albano Desmeules Samson, Stüdyo 9 İstanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
Decay, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2010
Insane-Irrung (solo), Neonchocolate Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Winter Salon, Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Du langage jusqu'à la chair! (solo), Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
2009
Fairytales of Berlin, Scion Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
Another break in the wall, Wannabe Gallery, Milan, Italy
2008
Fairytales of Berlin, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Marie Lou Desmeules (solo), Unique Gallery, Cologne, Germany
2007
Liste Köln Art Fair, Cologne, Germany
Melancholic Baby (solo), Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Abendsterne, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
2006
Fairytales of Berlin, Kulturhaus Vesterbo, Copenhagen, Danemark
Female signs – Lebewelt und andere Malaisen, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Female signs – Nocturne, Janinebeangallery, Berlin, Germany
Screenings & Film festivals
2019
Interfilm 35th edition, The Long Night Of Weird Shorts, Volksbühne, Berlin, Germany
ID:I Galleri, We Are Your Friends, Stockholm, Sweden
Szczecin Film Festival, Poland
Catacumba, 17th edition, Valencia, Spain
Caostica International Short Film Festival, 17th edition, Bilbao, Spain
Quartmetratges, 26th edition, Valencia, Spain
Cinespejo, Festival de Cine de Las Gabias, Granada, Spain
Busho, International Short Film festival, Budapest, Hungary
Filippo Ioco Gallery, Official Gay Pride event, Erotica, Barcelona, Spain
19th International Festival Of Short Films, Valencia, Spain
Official selection, 4th edition Shorty Week Film Festival, Cádiz, Spain
Art Lover Ground Festival, Espronceda, Barcelona, Spain
2018
NOWNESS, official staff selection (WEB)
64th International Short Film Festival of Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany
Spring Performance Festival Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Holland
Normal University of Eastern China, Shanghai, China
MU, Eindhoven, Holland
Hilversum Museum, Amsterdam, Holland
Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam, Holland
De School, Amsterdam, Holland
2017
Woman in Alternative Animation, Selections & Selectors 012, New York, USA
2015
Anger & Beyond, Port Actif, OffOff Cinema, Ghent, Belgium
Interfilm 35th edition, The Long Night Of Weird Shorts, Volksbühne, Berlin, Germany
ID:I Galleri, We Are Your Friends, Stockholm, Sweden
Szczecin Film Festival, Poland
Catacumba, 17th edition, Valencia, Spain
Caostica International Short Film Festival, 17th edition, Bilbao, Spain
Quartmetratges, 26th edition, Valencia, Spain
Cinespejo, Festival de Cine de Las Gabias, Granada, Spain
Busho, International Short Film festival, Budapest, Hungary
Filippo Ioco Gallery, Official Gay Pride event, Erotica, Barcelona, Spain
19th International Festival Of Short Films, Valencia, Spain
Official selection, 4th edition Shorty Week Film Festival, Cádiz, Spain
Art Lover Ground Festival, Espronceda, Barcelona, Spain
2018
NOWNESS, official staff selection (WEB)
64th International Short Film Festival of Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany
Spring Performance Festival Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Holland
Normal University of Eastern China, Shanghai, China
MU, Eindhoven, Holland
Hilversum Museum, Amsterdam, Holland
Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam, Holland
De School, Amsterdam, Holland
2017
Woman in Alternative Animation, Selections & Selectors 012, New York, USA
2015
Anger & Beyond, Port Actif, OffOff Cinema, Ghent, Belgium
Interviews, Press & Publications
EL HYPE Marie-Lou Desmeules: Clones corruptos y máscaras
CHINA DAILY Art depicts leaders with caricatures
OBJECTS X-Metic Surgery, le sculture viventi di Marie Lou Desmeules
CULTURA INQUIETA LAS ESCULTURAS POP VIVIENTES DE MARIE-LOU DESMEULES
INVENTOR SPOT We Are Plastic People: Bizarre Living Sculptures
VICE | THE CREATORS PROJECT This Artist Sculpts Creepy Portraits Using People As...
HUFFINGTON POST While Human Ken Dolls Walk The Earth, This Artist Is Performing...
MILK Papier-Mâché Pop Icons Are Here To Scare You
DANGEROUS MINDS LIVING SCULPTURES’ OF WORLD LEADERS, ARTISTS...
DESIGN BOOM Desmeules turns models into celebrities with paint + plastic surgery
EL MUNDO Celebritats (o no) curioses
CHINA DAILY Art depicts leaders with caricatures
OBJECTS X-Metic Surgery, le sculture viventi di Marie Lou Desmeules
CULTURA INQUIETA LAS ESCULTURAS POP VIVIENTES DE MARIE-LOU DESMEULES
INVENTOR SPOT We Are Plastic People: Bizarre Living Sculptures
VICE | THE CREATORS PROJECT This Artist Sculpts Creepy Portraits Using People As...
HUFFINGTON POST While Human Ken Dolls Walk The Earth, This Artist Is Performing...
MILK Papier-Mâché Pop Icons Are Here To Scare You
DANGEROUS MINDS LIVING SCULPTURES’ OF WORLD LEADERS, ARTISTS...
DESIGN BOOM Desmeules turns models into celebrities with paint + plastic surgery
EL MUNDO Celebritats (o no) curioses