Valentin Carron
Galerie Eva Presenhuber is pleased to present The Slope (Works 2005–2026), its tenth exhibition by Swiss artist Valentin Carron. Curated by Samuel Gross, this exhibition is conceived as a retrospective of the artist's twenty-year collaboration with the gallery.
For over two decades, Valentin Carron has pointed out the persistent and disenchanted fragments of our modern dream with a sigh of disillusionment. In this retrospective, once again, he deploys the diversity of his work with irony and without artifice. Two curves are cut out along two lines. From largest to smallest and vice versa, a selection of wall works and sculptures are presented according to their format. The hanging becomes abstract, and the works, a succession of motifs. The effect is cold and intense.
While Carron's work has always been about confronting us with our contradictions in our relationship to the modern dream, here the artist does not hesitate to turn irony against himself. He becomes the one who classifies, ranks, and executes. He is unambiguously the one who reminds us of our own illusions of creativity and change. For the duration of an exhibition, he looks back, imagining that everything he has been able to put in place remains living matter. Thus, visitors will find themselves perceiving the rebounds and returns amplified by the anti-chronological order.
The artist is therefore still the same. He is totally committed to his slightly disappointed perception of the world. His sensitivity allows him to transform this disappointment into a mirror that reflects back on us. He is not afraid of the monumental or the fragile. His gaze seems capable of penetrating everywhere. It is right there, behind our weaknesses and the conventions of our petty mediocrities. But he knows that he shares this fate with us, that nothing sets him apart from us. It is almost the opposite, as Carron seems to take it upon himself to revitalize what we would prefer to forget.
As the title suggests, being modern on the slope may also mean accepting the decline and the effort required to stay on your feet. For Carron, being an artist may also mean anchoring oneself in reality to the point of seeing its flaws and cracks. He is on the slope like the rest of us.
The large eagle in resin (1967 (after Fornage, 2004) is an exact copy of a sculpture abandoned in the parking lot of a former suburban furniture store. The monumental clock (Orologio IV, 2008), which appears to be made of concrete, is reminiscent of those that have been forgotten since the advent of cell phones displaying the time. The paint solidifies in blind stained glass windows (Die unglaubwürdige Wissenschaft der anmutig Zusammenhängenden Lobeshymnen, 2013). It liquefies in the design of enlarged book covers stretched over tubular frames (La grande rechute, 2013) or accepts its popular and pop destiny (L’inquiéte silhouette, 2017). In sculpture, the human figure becomes omnipresent and almost a stereotype with tenfold power (L’amitié, 2026).
This exhibition is indeed a window onto our ability to survive the slipping away of our dreams. In fact, in the last room of the exhibition, visitors can imagine themselves in Carron's archives and studio. It was he who gathered the documents and works that make up the exhibition. Visitors can glimpse the special energy that has allowed him to remain on the edge of the world for so long. He is that extraordinary friend who makes no concessions to good taste and propriety, but forces us to trust him in the radical nature of his perception.
This exhibition is also a portrait of the rebellious but fantastically sensitive teenager that Carron likes to show us. And for that reason alone, we would so much like to believe that twenty is nothing.
Samuel Gross
Valentin Carron was born in 1977 in Martigny, Switzerland, where he lives and works. Carron has been the subject of solo exhibitions at institutions including Le Portique - centre régional d'art contemporain du Havre, Le Havre, FR (2025); Le Manoir de la Ville de Martigny, Martigny, CH (2024); Chapelle des Élus, Dijon, FR (2023); Museum im Bellpark, Kriens, CH (2021); Le Consortium, Dijon, FR (2020); Centre d’edition contemporaine, Geneva, CH (2016); Kunsthalle Bern, Bern, CH (2014); Palais de Tokyo, Paris, FR (2010); La Conservera Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, Ceuti/Murcia, ES (2009); and Kunsthalle Zürich, Zurich, CH (2007), among others. In 2013, Carron represented Switzerland at the 55th Venice Biennale. Recently, he has participated in institutional group exhibitions at Langen Foundation, Neuss, DE (2025); Baur au Lac, Zurich, CH (2025); Swiss Embassy in France, Paris, FR (2024); Biennale Sion, Sion, CH (2023); Fondation Vincent Van Gogh, Arles, FR (2023); Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau, CH (2021); Centre Pompidou-Metz, Metz, FR (2020); Haus Konstruktiv, Zurich, CH (2019); Centre d’Edition Contemporaine, Geneva, CH (2019); Swiss Institute, New York, US (2018; 2017; 2015); Maison van Doesburg, Meudon, FR (2017); Istituto Svizzero di Rome, Rome, IT (2016); and High Line, New York, US (2016), among others.
hidden
They they I you he 2
2013
Iron
282 x 43.5 x 7 cm / 111 x 17 1/8 x 2 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Titus, tuscany anyhow
2013
Cast bronze
80 x 51 x 5 cm / 31 1/2 x 20 1/8 x 2 in
© Valentin Carron
Leaky kimono nocturne
2015
Cast bronze
71 x 34 x 7 cm / 28 x 13 3/8 x 2 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Prima mazurka cactus
2015
Cast bronze
86 x 52 x 8 cm / 33 7/8 x 20 1/2 x 3 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Mala vita, vitally, alias
2013
Cast bronze
53 x 29 x 5.5 cm / 20 7/8 x 11 3/8 x 2 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Behop opium umbrage
2015
Cast bronze
35 x 68 x 7 cm / 13 3/4 x 26 3/4 x 2 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Fully ibuprofen fennec
2015
Cast bronze
19 x 109 x 3 cm / 7 1/2 x 42 7/8 x 1 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Africa cabaret radius
2015
Cast bronze
23 x 49 x 9 cm / 9 x 19 1/4 x 3 1/2 in
© Valentin Carron
Deep
2019
Aluminum, glaze-paint
480 x 60 x 32 cm / 189 x 23 5/8 x 12 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Orologio IV
2008
Styrofoam, gauze, wood, plaster, clock mechanism, aluminum, dispersion paint
260 x 210 x 20 cm / 102 3/8 x 82 5/8 x 7 7/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Degenerate
2014
Stainless steel, patina effect varnish, gold-plated iron spacer
256 x 266.5 x 5 cm / 100 3/4 x 104 7/8 x 2 in
© Valentin Carron
Suite primitive, primitive
2009
Styrofoam, fibreglass, wood, resin, metal and acrylic paint
Unique
220 x 220 x 30 cm / 86 5/8 x 86 5/8 x 11 3/4 in
Weight 120 kg
© Valentin Carron
Die unglaubwürdige Wissenschaft der anmutig zusammenhängenden Lobeshymnen
2013
Polystyrene, fiberglass, acrylic resin, acrylic paint, varnish
211 x 337 x 9 cm / 83 1/8 x 132 5/8 x 3 1/2 in
© Valentin Carron
Haus und Hund 1
2023
Acrylic on fiberboard
195 x 156 x 4.5 cm / 76 3/4 x 61 3/8 x 1 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
De vin et de boue
2008
Styrofoam, fibreglass, resin, acrylic paint
Sculpture 172 x 115 x 17 cm / 67 3/4 x 45 1/4 x 6 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Porcelain
2013
Tiflex on tarpaulin, galvanised steel tubing, steel wire
154 x 123 cm / 60 5/8 x 48 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Overturned glass
2013
Polystyrene, fiberglass, acrylic resin, acrylic paint, varnish, blond sand
147.5 x 65.5 x 4.5 cm / 58 1/8 x 25 3/4 x 1 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Untitled
2004
Wood, calf skin, leather paint
107 x 141 cm / 42 1/8 x 55 1/2 in
© Valentin Carron
Monday Mango
2017
MDF, inkjet print on adhesive paper, acrylic enamel paint
132 x 120 x 6 cm / 52 x 47 1/4 x 2 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Untitled
2009
Tiflex on tarpaulin, galvanised steel tubing, plastic straps
128 x 83 x 5 cm / 50 3/8 x 32 5/8 x 2 in
© Valentin Carron
Dice Holder (Cold blue)
2021
Polystyrene, fiber, painted acrylic resin, foam dice
110 x 80 x 22 cm / 43 1/4 x 31 1/2 x 8 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Lottery and Granite
2018
Polystyrene, fiberglass, acrylic resin, acrylic paint
101 x 61 x 11 cm / 39 3/4 x 24 x 4 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Le mépris (after Rossi)
2009
Polystyrene fibreglass, resin, acrylic paint
Unique
68 x 141 x 17.5 cm / 26 3/4 x 55 1/2 x 6 7/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Maracas ascetic lcarus
2015
Cast bronze
23 x 53 x 5 cm / 9 x 20 7/8 x 2 in
© Valentin Carron
Archaïque fade cercle
2011
Cast bronze, black lacquer
Unique
12 x 9 x 6 cm / 4 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 2 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Bottle Man (Diagonally)
2017
142 bottles made of hand blown glass
31 x 186 x 186 cm / 12 1/4 x 73 1/4 x 73 1/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Jean-Robert
2021
Painted acrystal
21 x 61.5 x 32 cm / 8 1/4 x 24 1/4 x 12 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Jacky
2010
Glass
Sculpture 32 x 26 x 11 cm / 12 5/8 x 10 1/4 x 4 3/8 in
Pedestal 100 x 50 x 50 cm / 39 3/8 x 19 5/8 x 19 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Innocent 4
2023
Enamel paint on bronze
Unique
71 x 45 x 46 cm / 28 x 17 3/4 x 18 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Bassin (rouille)
2017
Polystyrol, fiberglass, acrylic resin, acrylic paint
52 x 191 x 111 cm / 20 1/2 x 75 1/4 x 43 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Belt on braided chair
2014
Plastic, Metal, paint
73 x 49.5 x 56 cm / 28 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 22 in
© Valentin Carron
Pot IV
2013
Concrete
60 x 90 x 90 cm / 23 5/8 x 35 3/8 x 35 3/8 in
Weight approx. 147kg
© Valentin Carron
Ciao n°7
2013
Ciao Piaggio restored
103 x 157.5 x 46.5 cm / 40 1/2 x 62 x 18 1/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Belt on bar stool
2014
Fabric, metal, foam material, plastic, paint
82.5 x 43 x 38 cm / 32 1/2 x 17 x 15 in
© Valentin Carron
Untitled
2009
Wood, inlay, tuning pegs
Object 100 x 62 x 12 cm / 39 3/8 x 24 3/8 x 4 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Untitled
2009
Wood, inlay, tuning pegs
100 x 62 x 12 cm / 39 3/8 x 24 3/8 x 4 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
Le Nasillard
2005
Cannon: Polyesther, acrylic; Plinths: wood, plaster, acrylic
Sculpture 46 x 300 x 70 cm / 18 1/8 x 118 1/8 x 27 1/2 in
Plinths: 1 pce 53 x 55.5 x 17 cm, 1 pce 51 x 65.5 x 17 cm
© Valentin Carron
The Last Leaf
2020
Copper, iron, enamel paint
Sculpture 84 x 70 x 60 cm / 33 1/8 x 27 1/2 x 23 5/8 in
Pedestal 75 x 70 x 60 cm / 29 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 23 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
The SaXophone
2019
Copper, iron, enamel paint
Sculpture 84 x 60 x 70 cm / 33 1/8 x 23 5/8 x 27 1/2 in
© Valentin Carron
Pedestal 75 x 70 x 60 cm / 29 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 23 5/8 in CARRO46378
L'oiseau fou (after Pellegrini)
2013
Polystyrene, wood, fiberglass, resin, enamel, paint, varnish
185 x 71 x 37 cm / 72 7/8 x 28 x 14 5/8 in
© Valentin Carron
L'homme qui fuit (masse)
2018
Steel, wood, electric motor, polyurethane, fiber, acrylic resin, acrylic paint,
cotton
176 x 144.5 x 90 cm / 69 1/4 x 56 7/8 x 35 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
Adult and Child
2023
Painted aluminum
225 x 137 x 56 cm / 88 5/8 x 53 7/8 x 22 in
© Valentin Carron
L' homme qui swing (bronze antique)
2007
Wood, metalic structure, acrylic resin, paint
225 x 140 x 51.5 cm / 88 5/8 x 55 1/8 x 20 1/4 in
© Valentin Carron
L’inavouable extase (after Raboud)
2010
Polystyrene, fibreglass, acrylic resin, acrylic paint
Unique
241 x 124 x 45 cm / 94 7/8 x 48 7/8 x 17 3/4 in
© Valentin Carron
The Harp II (after Aeschbacher)
2014
Polystyrene, fibre glass, acrylic resin, quartz sand, metal, acrylic paint,
acrylic polyurethane varnish
250 x 236 x 34 cm / 98 3/8 x 92 7/8 x 13 3/8 in
Weight 138 kg (304.2 lbs)
© Valentin Carron
1967 (after Fornage)
2004
Polystyrene, fibre, resin, acrylic resin, paint
270 x 100 x 100 cm / 106 1/4 x 39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
L’Amitié
2023/2026
Larch Wood and enamel paint
300 x 155 x 117 cm / 118 1/8 x 61 x 46 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
6 jours pour convaincre
2008
Styrofoam, fibreglass, resin, acrylic paint
330 cm / 129 7/8 in
Height 330 cm
Diameter 100 cm
© Valentin Carron
A Simple Friend (6)
2020
Photocopy on colored paper, transparent tape
Sheet 29.5 x 21 cm / 11 3/4 x 8 1/4 in
Frame 37 x 28 x 3 cm / 14 1/2 x 11 x 1 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
A Simple Friend (16)
2020
Photocopy on colored paper, transparent tape
Sheet 29.5 x 21 cm / 11 3/4 x 8 1/4 in
Frame 37 x 28 x 3 cm / 14 1/2 x 11 x 1 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
A Simple Friend (8)
2020
Photocopy on colored paper, transparent tape
Sheet 29.5 x 21 cm / 11 3/4 x 8 1/4 in
Frame 37 x 28 x 3 cm / 14 1/2 x 11 x 1 1/8 in
© Valentin Carron
LöwenZorn
2010
Black lacquered steel, painted and baked milk glass
Unique
33 x 33 x 33 cm / 13 x 13 x 13 in
© Valentin Carron
La grande rechute
2013
Tiflex on tarpaulin, galvanised steel tubing, steel wire
97 x 77.5 cm / 38 1/4 x 30 1/2 in
© Valentin Carron
Poison Infiltration
2005
Polystyrene, fiberglass, acrylic resin, paint
28.5 x 28.5 x 100 cm / 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 39 3/8 in
© Valentin Carron
