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Political action figures: the role of the artist can also be a readymade: French 'collective artist' Claire Fontaine interviewed by Chen Tamir.

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Claire Fontaine is a Paris-based collective artist named after a common brand of French stationery. Her work takes the form of sculptures, videos, paintings and various other materials found in everyday culture. She usurps the history of conceptualism, using it as a platform from which to present her works and ideas, which are a response against political and social oppression. Calling herself a "readymade artist," she sees artists' identities as being as exchangeable as the products they make, and works on the transformation of subjectivity by pushing the boundaries of authorship and collectivity. She has written numerous texts that focus on art's limitations and her desire to address the problem of political impotency within society.

CHEN TAMIR I first came to your work through your writings. I'd like to start by asking you about your texts. You've said before that language is an arena reserved for reciprocate understanding. Who are you writing for?

CLAIRE FONTAINE For everybody who can understand. Generally, people write to imaginary friends who they miss...

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