Olivier Bémer: Visual Artist and AMT Faculty Debuts “How To” Exhibition
By Olina Olseth
From October 2nd to the 9th, Galerie 45 will host an exhibition featuring the work of Art, Media, and Technology sophomores. The show highlights their “How To” assignment from the Narrative Studio and Lab class, where students were challenged to illustrate or explain how to do—or not do—something of their choice, blending video and printed media. Visual artist and instructor of Narrative Studio, Olivier Bémer, shared his insights on both the exhibition and his own artistic journey in a recent interview.
A Teaching Approach Rooted in Artistic Freedom
Olivier Bémer, whose background spans various media including cinematography, 3D rendering, and sculpture, is passionate about the intersection of time and technology in art. “The common denominator in my work is time, how it can be either passive or active,” Bémer explained, reflecting on how he integrates time across different mediums. Starting with photography before transitioning to video and eventually to CGI, his work has always been about “creating images,” yet the shift to 3D media has offered him new opportunities. “Now I use CGI and 3D because I feel that I can do whatever I want, and I don’t have to wait until I find the image I’m seeking,” Bémer shared.
As a professor, Bémer brings this philosophy of exploration and freedom into the classroom, emphasizing the importance of allowing students to find their own artistic voices. He aims to create a comfortable environment where students can navigate the constraints of the assignment, saying, “I don’t want students to do something they don’t feel comfortable with… I want them to create around the constraint.”
The “How To” Assignment
When discussing the “How To” assignment, Bémer emphasized the balance between structure and creativity that the students must navigate. The basic tutorial format, which is prevalent in the age of YouTube and DIY culture, provides a step-by-step structure that students must adapt and reinterpret. “What is interesting to me with the idea of a tutorial is that the structure is quite basic and straightforward,” Bémer explains. “But when you apply this practical narrative structure to an abstract idea, like how to dream or how to exist for instance, it can become really interesting.” The assignment’s structure allows students to explore layers of meaning, while the typical linear structure of tutorials brings a unique narrative challenge.
Preparing for the Galerie 45 Exhibition
This year, Bémer is particularly excited about the opportunity for students to exhibit their work in Galerie 45. “Last year, the students could only describe how they would project their films hypothetically,” Bémer recalled. This year, however, the students will have their own screens to display their videos alongside the printed material created in the Narrative Lab with Tamara Rosenblum.
“The exhibition is a good excuse to make something nice,” Bémer said with a smile, acknowledging the added pressure students face. Yet, he sees this pressure as a positive motivator, pushing them to fully realize their projects. The collaborative aspect of the assignment, combined with the exhibition space, gives students a chance to work with constraints that mimic real-world artistic challenges—such as budget, exhibition space, and deadlines.
Bémer’s Artistic Journey and Current Work
In addition to discussing the “How To” assignment, Bémer also shared insights into his own artistic practice. Beyond teaching, Bémer is also a freelancer and an independent artist. His work often explores the relationship between humans and machines, finding particular fascination with technological failures or bugs. “I’m interested in an object when it’s actually failing, or when I can make a counter-use of the object’, he said. This fascination with malfunction and humor is a red thread throughout his practice, whether in CGI or sculpture.
Recently, Bémer has been part of a group exhibition titled “D’une Goutte de Rosée”, which was exhibited in La Tour Orion in Paris. Working with ants and CGI, Bémer explores themes of community and society, using ants as a metaphor for interconnectedness. “Ants as a form of making society,” he explains, reflecting on how small, seemingly insignificant elements can combine to create a larger whole. For the exhibition, Bémer created a sculpture featuring a double-glazed window and an ant terrarium filled with sand—elements that evoke time and contemplation. The piece suggests a society that may have existed in ancient times or perhaps in a dystopian future, leaving its interpretation open to the viewer.
Looking Forward
As a teacher and practicing artist, Bémer finds inspiration in both realms, balancing the demands of his freelance work with the fresh perspectives his students offer. “I wouldn’t want to only do one of them,” he says, highlighting how the two roles feed into each other, offering him a dynamic and ever-evolving creative outlet.
The “How To” exhibition at Galerie 45 opens on October 2nd at 3PM, showcasing the hard work and creativity of Olivier Bémer and Tamara Rosenblum’s students. The students will present their interpretations of the assignment—works that are sure to surprise, inspire, and provoke thought. Bémer says he looks forward to continuing this assignment in future years, confident that the structure of the assignment will always generate new, exciting outcomes for both students and viewers.