15th May - 31st July 2000

"Eppolevne-enveloppE"

Envelope : A dual idea, Stamp-writing
Of the one hundred and fifty works created over almost a year, two-thirds are present at the Musée de la Poste as well as the “White Spirits” and “Whites” which came into being as a result of this idea.
Initially, perhaps as an adaptation to this new inquisitiveness, the formats are classic, close to those of traditional envelopes then, with a natural disposition for large supports, they led naturally to writing and the concept of texts filling the envelope.
Half-hidden by the painting, the texts are nevertheless legible, composed in a graphic design to express the idea that the content of a letter which is addressed to you is partly known beforehand as it certainly carries the reflection of the receiver, like his or her mirror.
Out of this idea of reflection and like a necessary impulsion, O Mérijon and a writer-friend started a correspondence. Amaury replied in words to Mérijon's watercolours. A book records this correspondence, "Lettre qu'on écrit et puis qui nous laisse là... "
This period, as is the case with all creation, gave the paintings their current direction, one of pure forms and which exude a profound presence. Some White Spirits with their diagonal geometry and the most recent white paintings are all testimonies to the experience.
This exhibition retraced O Merijon's work of the previous three years with pertinence. Giving us an excellent vision of his art, poetic and full of light, from which the secret of a presence is felt.

SEE ALL:

Envelopes. Mail Art. White Spirits. Whites.

Correspondence with Amaury.

EXHIBITED WORKS:

Watercolours. Mixed Media. Oils.

THE PROGRESSION:

Envelope. Form. Concept. Line. Surface.

The concept:

The words are half-hidden but come into focus.

More present is the hinted-at letter in line

with the idea that to some extent you already know the contents

of a letter which is addressed to you.

You are being addressed personally and are sent

a reflection of yourself, a mirror.

Yes, envelopes are mirrors which we accept,

a metaphor chosen by someone else,

obliging us to see ourselves and whereby,

either through emotions, instinct or necessity,

we remember what we have been,

know what we are and envisage what we will be.

Stamp Env 119

Envelopes:

The shape is the first element which emerges, white frame

"stretched canvas", visible, ready to be painted, almost a habit.

The rectangular form,

the natural lines, the intersection of the solid interrogation.

A natural movement towards large-scale formats

gradually takes shape.

Correspondence

Painting - writing

with Amaury

Over a period of 2 years, Amaury replied to my watercolour letters in the form of texts.

Each time the response was the appropriate reply to what I had sent.

22.06.98

                                                     "Gone today"

When you start to think about it, it's already too late.

It's like a flash, a projection, a trajectory which gathers speed, leaving us behind.

Everything is in the present which lasts and stretches ahead unchanging until it is read.

And everything is in that morning, in the orange aurore when the letter passed along the distended passages of its relentless path.

If only we could go back in time.

If only for one word or an exclamation mark.

To intercept, divert, catch it in its flight.

But enclosed in this letter is part of oneself held in the perpetual present yet being sent into the ever-changing future. That nothing can stop.

And it's already too late.

"Gone today"

And everything moves faster, moving further ahead. Going so fast now. And while all around everything flees, leaving long blue trails, and everything changes colour and direction, stamped, addressed, enveloped, inside we remain.

And there is nothing we can do.

"There tomorrow".

This work, exhibited at the Musée de la Poste in Paris, France in 2000, is the outcome of our correspondence.