The Shepherds infopoint by the French artist Stéphanie Lagarde is the first Temporary Structure, as well as the first work of art the visitors to the gallery encounter. The infopoint with visitors‘ facilities serves to pass on information to the public, and provides all that is necessary for good orientation in the gallery. Stéphanie Lagarde approached it as a metaphor. The title refers to the shepherds’ role of vigilant guides and protectors offering visitors sufficient means to feel natural in the gallery.

“The French artist Stéphanie Lagarde designed the temporary structure of infopoint as a specific installation: the coating of the counter works as a metaphor aimed to describe hidden aspects of information flows. Apart from kind reception at the counter mediating, in particular, information about the run of the gallery institution, the artist somewhat paradoxically focused on its ability to withstand external pressure. The infopoint with content core and soft protective coating resembles a shepherd giving directions while making us realise the meaning and needs of our journey.

References to tactical work with crowds, their organisation and control are typical of Stéphanie Lagarde, and they are also present in her latest project, Déploiements (2018) in which the artist, with the use of video-simulation, works with the movement of a group of demonstrators strategically manipulated by armed forces.

As shepherds protect and lead their flocks, so the installation is remotely reminiscent of a figurant exercising German shepherds. From the perspective of viewers who find themselves in a cozy and safe refuge, the object also functions as a dialogue platform sending a clear signal of soft landing.“

Daniela & Linda Dostálková

Stéphanie Lagarde (*1982, Toulouse, FR) graduated from École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and completed a postgraduate residence at the Jan van Eyck Academie in Maastricht. In her work she continuously explores the subject of the preservation of cultural heritage in the wide range of its aspects, from conservation to data manipulation. She creates compact installations involving sophisticated choreography of multi-channel videos and sculpture elements. She has taken part in a number of collective exhibitions including Transmediale in Berlin, DokFest in Kassel and The State Is Not a Work of Art in Tallin. She lives and works in Paris.