Totem

Totem is a sort of manifesto where the pictorial language of Christian Astuguevieille takes on full meaning. The artist developed what he calls an “imaginary writing” and has continued to make it evolve. He mixes figurative elements representing symbols of civilization—objects, amphorae, shields—with a more abstract graphic style. He extends this writing on rolls of tracing paper in a vertical composition using India ink and a thick brush. The design is embroidered to add volume and is composed of four different bands.