The latest project from the Insitut français in Berlin promises goose bumps all round, summer or no summer. Les Nuits Du Polar explores the genre of crime in literature and the fine arts in all its diversity; from gruesome to beautiful, absurd to unsettling.

Nathalie van Doxell’s photo series ‘Présumés Coupables’ is one of two exhibitions on display as part of Les Nuits Du Polar. The artist has taken mugshots of convicted criminals, blown them up and provided a short handwritten description of their crimes. By choosing a ten year old child, an ‘innocent’, to write out the descriptions, she reminds us of the lost innocence of the criminals in question.

Artists duo Bachelot Caron provide an alternative perspective on crime, placing the observer in the role of police inspector… or perhaps even perpetrator. Their works, which can be described as somewhere between painting and photography, capture the moment just as something terrible has happened or is about to happen. The images are unsettling and powerful because we are used to seeing the aftermath of crimes, but not their immediacy.

The grand opening takes place this Friday the 11th of May from 6pm. The artwork will be accompanied by readings in French from a host of talented French crime authors: Dominique Manotti, Patrick Raynals, Arlette Lauterbachs and Frantz Delplanques. The Schaubühne theatre’s Christoph Gawenda will then perform the pieces in German.

-evm 

Les Nuits Du Polar
Institut français
Kurfürstendamm 211
11th of May to 31st of July
Grand opening: Friday 11th of May, 6pm