Anthony Alberti, also known as Mr OneTeas, presents his new exhibition at the Lympia space at the port of Nice. The self-taught artist takes us through the maze of a narcissistic and over-consuming society by skillfully manipulating materials and mediums.
At the entrance of the exhibition, a red tanned cowhide is hung against the wall. The artwork is titled “Dying of Laughter” and echoes the iconic Laughing Cow, or at least what remains of it. Most of Anthony Alberti’s works are marked with a hint of devastating cynicism that creates quite an impact. This humor/love for irony counterbalances more intimate and touching works, closely aligning with the artist’s personal universe.
The common denominator of the various themes addressed (social media, consumerism, environment) could be an appeal for deep reflection on our current lifestyle and its excesses. To achieve this, Mr OneTeas uses several mediums, often repurposed, like a piece of platform or delivery boxes. Nothing is done gratuitously; each time, the form must aid in understanding the essence. This is evident in the portrait of Amy Winehouse, painted with an aerosol and made from medicine boxes. “I wanted to make her beautiful with what killed her,” comments the artist.
Upstairs, one can discover another very current topic, but one quite rarely explored in the art world: social media. More precisely, Anthony Alberti questions and mocks our relationship with the virtual world. What is the real purpose of all the applications we use every day, if not to satisfy a narcissism that is hard to admit? This theme can be unsettling because it directly corresponds to our experiences and the ever-increasing spread of new technologies. Posting in the form of confession, selfies, likes. These new communication practices are the target of the artist’s sharp humor. And it works.
