Benjamin BOUCHETEIL (Born 1971) - Lot 106

Benjamin BOUCHETEIL (Born 1971) Black Devil Sculpted and modeled white chamotte stoneware Combination of high-temperature glazes formulated by the artist, steel, gold (lamp) H. 23.5 cm - W. 52 cm - D. 18 cm 5 kg approx. The black devil monkfish that surfaced off the coast of the Canary Islands last winter has become a symbol of the fragility of the deep ocean. Although they are still less explored than outer space, the ocean depths continue to reveal new discoveries every day. New species, new forms of adaptation, new biotopes that we never imagined would be viable... All this has yet to reveal its secrets, but is already threatened by climate change, ocean acidification, global warming and man's greed for mineral wealth. The anglerfish, for example, has a unique mode of reproduction in which the male is almost insignificant compared to the female, to the point where he ends up fused to her on his abdomen, serving as her spermatheca throughout his life. Used to the deep sea, it created a buzz on social networks when it surfaced, and caused quite a stir in the scientific community itself. Made of white stoneware, it is coated with a unique manganese-based glaze that gives it its matt golden iridescence. Fired in 2nd firing at high temperature (1260°), its lamp, which serves as bait in the abyss, is here covered with gold fired in 3rd low-temperature firing.