L.A. Raeven: analyse/research, Paris

Abstract

Dutch artists Liesbeth and Angelique Raeven (b.1971- ) do not go with the flow. They refuse to consume food thoughtlessly, they refuse to accept womanhood and the feminine roles society assigns to them, and they also refuse to be labeled as anorexic. Both are fascinated by the image of the body as promoted by the fashion world and in advertising, and they subvert this image in their works. The dangerous tightrope walk performed by this set of twins, whose videos and performances are produced under the name of L.A. Raeven, is hotly debated in the art world. They always perform as a duo, celebrating their symbiotic relationship and playing with the notion of "evil twins." Their performances can be painful, and yet they have to be accepted as valid forms of artistic expression. This monograph presents L.A. Raeven's work of the past ten years. An important aspect of their project is that they turn the tables on conventional interview procedure by questioning renowned specialists in the fields of eating disorders, gender studies, and consumer research. Essays by art historians show where the work fits into the sphere of contemporary art.