Synopsis
In March 2015, three paintings by Matt Jaeborn were auctioned at Christies in London. These paintings are surprising : they are paintings by numbers made when the artist was a child. The triptych takes off for $14 million. Who is behind this crazy purchase ? The major collectors ? The Russian mafia ? The painter himself ? A fascinating investigation that uncompromisingly addresses the excesses of contemporary art.
A word from Tënk
Matt Jaeborn is Quebec’s Banksy. But has anyone actually heard of him? This study by Roger Gariépy takes no prisoners. The contemporary art scene is cut to pieces with dexterity and precision. This is high comedy, where every punch lands with strategic aim because the comedian knows exactly which buttons to push. Investigations, scandals, records smashed, millions of dollars — who said the art world was boring? Brimming with wit, this thunderous film takes us around the world. A million-dollar price tag for children’s artwork? It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the speculative value of capital-A Art, “official Art”, canonized by practically self-governed institutions, is called into question. It is this ultimate futility that makes it all so fascinating. Is the situation any more absurd than the millions we spend on high-level athletes? We already know the answer. This is the kind of film that rewards the most curious members of its audience, leaving them with an irresistible desire to dig deeper.
Paul Landriau
Director of Programming, Plein(s) Écran(s)
