Matthew Wasser
Fuck la vie d'artiste tells the story of Zenab, a French-Moroccan artist living near Paris in 2005. Through visions of Van Gogh, love for an American woman she meets at work, and the 2005 riots, she struggles to understand her cultural, social, an

Fuck la vie d'artiste

Video Design - NYC 2017

Fuck la vie d'artiste tells the story of Zenab, a French-Moroccan artist living near Paris in 2005. Through visions of Van Gogh, love for an American woman she meets at work, and the 2005 riots, she struggles to understand her cultural, social, an

Fuck la vie d'artiste tells the story of Zenab, a French-Moroccan artist living near Paris in 2005. Through visions of Van Gogh, love for an American woman she meets at work, and the 2005 riots, she struggles to understand her cultural, social, and artistic identity.

The projections show the world through Zenab's eyes, as both practical and abstract elements. They reinforce the physical setting of the piece, but also reflect her artistic growth – the style and colors of Van Gogh inspire her, and then merge with her own, more modern influences. 

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Zenab works as a tour guide at the inn where Vincent Van Gogh died. When Vincent’s ghost begins to speak to her, she finds herself torn between her art and Avery, an American woman she’s fallen in love with.

Zenab works as a tour guide at the inn where Vincent Van Gogh died. When Vincent’s ghost begins to speak to her, she finds herself torn between her art and Avery, an American woman she’s fallen in love with.

Meanwhile, riots break out when two teenagers are killed in a police chase. While Avery longs to stay away from the violence, Zenab finds herself drawn to them.

Meanwhile, riots break out when two teenagers are killed in a police chase. While Avery longs to stay away from the violence, Zenab finds herself drawn to them.

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 Zenab joins the riots, easel in hand, to paint her own version of France—one that digs deeper than the postcard-perfect veneer sold to tourists.

 Zenab joins the riots, easel in hand, to paint her own version of France—one that digs deeper than the postcard-perfect veneer sold to tourists.

Based on the true story of Bouna Traoré, 15 and Zyed Benna, 17, whose deaths inspired weeks of sustained rioting across France, this play asks the question: what does it mean when your own country sees you as an outsider?

Based on the true story of Bouna Traoré, 15 and Zyed Benna, 17, whose deaths inspired weeks of sustained rioting across France, this play asks the question: what does it mean when your own country sees you as an outsider?