Since the mid-1990s, Brice Dellsperger has been creating a series of videos catalogued under the generic title Body Double. In this work, shot by shot, the artist remakes cult scenes from film history, particularly big industry Hollywood movies. This ‘doubling’ strives to make a complete copy of an original scene (set, actors, cinematography…). There is often just one “actor” playing every role: lead parts and extras are embodied by the same person, perched atop high heels, equipped with fake breasts and masked in make-up. Assembled in 2D spaces thanks to 3D modeling tools and special effects, these multiplying bodies illustrate how desires and identities turn into memes.
Dressed to Kill Hollywood The idea behind Body Double is to visually and conceptually disturb hierarchical categories and signs. Brice Dellsperger usually uses one single body (multiplied) or “double” bodies (like twin sisters, for example) to act out all the parts in the original film, which is played live on the film set. The gestures…
