"Paradoxe sur le comédien" is the title of an essay (published 1830) by Diderot in which he debates the role of actors, and how best they can convince an audience of an emotional expression. I used this title for a two-part exhibition that occurred sequentially in partnering institutions.

Paradoxe sur le comédien (Part II) consists of a tent installation, performance and an artist book. The manufactured striped tent is made for all weather conditions and was installed outdoors. It has no door and a black nameless flag. Round in shape, the tent is either too small for a real performance, or too big for children’s play. A surprise performance was staged for the opening reception... in walk the Conjoined-Twin Ringmasters! Rude, arrogant, and stealing the stage, they shuffled around uncomfortably in their full paper costume demanding people buy a hot-off-the-press coloring book. Paper top hats, a megaphone and a whip adorn the outfit. However, without their circus tent for programming they had nothing to promote but themselves - two artists that were not officially represented in the large group-format exhibition.

The coloring book includes a sticker insert with names of circus freaks. The images within are brush and ink line drawings of the previous installation, Paradoxe sur le comédien (Part I)... asses, gaping mouths and other bodily orifices. The book was printed in an edition of 300. You can view this here.