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Search forBath exhibition of art with saucy secret draws visitors
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 08:00
Now an exhibition inspired by the naughty content of the penny-slot What the Butler Saw machines is raising temperatures in Bath.
Francis Toudic's series of 'secret paintings' that, at first glance, seem like innocent and colourful tableaux in oils, reveal an altogether more risqué image underneath when viewed through special long-handled spectacles, with lenses aptly tinted blue.
The decision to display them in the window of the Mauger Modern Art Gallery in Bartlett Street has proved a feast for curious eyes.
Gallery manager Jemma Hickman says she has had to swipe nose or hand smudges off the panes each morning because crowds of people have waited until the cover of darkness to take a sneak peek through the glasses stuck up inside the window at the saucy images.
She said: "They do seem to arouse a great deal of curiosity. We have moved them out of the window now to show off some fresh submissions so I imagine some passers-by will be disappointed. We were careful to put the glasses above child height so as not to offend but I imagine word got around."
Miss Hickman said displaying Mr Toudic's work, which was submitted to the gallery by the French artist himself, had sparked a great deal of interest among visitors.
"We have sold about four of his paintings and we also have some 'shameful' chairs – he has painted these layered images on the upholstery.
"It has been a fascinating experience looking at the paintings with customers, as it can feel quite voyeuristic once you hand them the glasses.
"There's always a moment of realisation and an 'Aaaah' and then often a red face."
Mutoscopes were a well- known feature of seaside promenades up until the introduction of decimal coinage in 1971, which made the mechanisms obsolete.
They usually included "girlie" reels which ranged from risqué to soft-core pornography.
The title of one such reel, What the Butler Saw, became the name by which the machines were known in England, conjuring up images of a butler peeking through a keyhole at a woman undressing. Speaking about the collection of paintings, Toudic said: "It is the nature of secrets that they are often kept extremely close to the boundaries of being revealed.
"It is this very verge of disclosure that titillates my research lately.
"How can a painting be so perfectly deceitful when visibly naked on the wall, so dangerously accessible to its authenticity and yet appear more than innocent to the flirting eye.
"These 'shameful' images, which are normally hushed and stashed away under mattresses, hazardously lean on the edge of exposure."
Toudic has exhibited in public and private galleries and major art fairs, mainly in France, but plans to do a show with the Mauger next year.
Meanwhile the gallery is continuing to exhibit several of his works.
For more information about the gallery visit maugermodern.com .
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