julien boudet rests giant counterfeit basketball on top of mercedes G wagon at art dubai

Julien Boudet presents ‘explosion’ and ‘pressure’ at Art Dubai 2023

From March 1-5, 2023, French multidisciplinary artist Julien Boudet presented his two new sculptures titled ‘Explosion’ and ‘Pressure’ which pay tribute to the iconic Mercedes G Wagon at Art Dubai. The works were inspired by Boudet’s passion for car culture and the specific SUV that has become Dubai’s most popular car. The sculptures explore the concepts of accumulation and compression, drawing on the artist’s other passion for basketball and the emblematic AMG logo.

the ‘Pressure’ sculpture | all images courtesy of Julien Boudet

Julien Boudet draws from Dubai’s penchant for luxury cars to create his two latest sculptures, which, like many of his works, combine art history, hip-hop, and sports. ‘Pressure’ consists of a gigantic fake AMG basketball sitting atop a Mercedes G-Wagon, while ‘Explosion’ depicts the iconic SUV overflowing with regular-size basketballs. The two sculptures, which are in conversation with each other, were made on-site in Dubai, giving the artwork an authentic feel. The sculptures play with logos and bootleg culture, which is also widespread in Dubai, by depicting the fake AMG basketball. ‘I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase my sculptures in Dubai, a city that has inspired me for years,’ shares the French artist. ‘The Mercedes G Wagon is an iconic symbol of the car culture in Dubai, and I wanted to pay tribute to it with my artwork.’

The duality between real and fake, counterfeit and authenticity are recurring themes for the artist, who has begun creating and incorporating materials into his work to highlight the paradox of bootleg as a result of hyper-consumerism. The works address the strains and shifts of our relationships and coexistence with objects, ornaments and collective cultural imagination. The sculptures are on display at Art Dubai Mina a’Salam – Jumeirah Beach Rd, and visitors are invited to experience the unique blend of art, culture and luxury cars that define the city.

a gigantic fake AMG basketball sits atop a Mercedes G-Wagon