PARIS, FRANCE.-The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain presents the first solo exhibition in Frace of Australian artist Ron Mueck. In the mid-nineties, Ron Mueck redefined realism as an aesthethic, thus renewing the language of contemporary sculpture.

For this exhibition, Mueck has created five new works. The naked "Wild Man" is a monumental seated figure who appears tense and fearful. "Spooning Couple" represents a man and woman lying in bed together in a fetal position, suggesting both intimacy and solitude. "Mask III" is the portrait of a black woman wearing an expression of peace and content. "Two Women" depicts a pair of elderly ladies as they gaze off into the distance. "In Bed" portrays a giant female figure who is gently waking up in bed.

Whether monumetal or smaller than life, Ron Mueck's sculptures create a tension between the real world and a world of the phantasmogorical. His pensive characters are so lifelike that they seem to breathe. Veins, wrinkles, body hair, blemishes... no detail is neglected. The result is so perfect that the pieces' resemblance to "real life" can be quiet disturbing.