Fondation Cartier explores the work of cartoonist Jean Giraud

The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, a non-profit organization for contemporary art, is hosting its first major exhibition in Paris devoted to the works of renowned cartoonist Jean Giraud from October 12, 2010 through March 13, 2011.

The exhibition entitled MoebiusTranse-Forme explores the theme of metamorphosis, a leitmotif that forms the basis of the artist's works throughout his comics, drawings and film projects.

The exhibition Moebius-Transe-Forme at the Fondation Cartier traces 40 years of my drawings in the desert of metamorphosis, said Giraud.

Jean Henri Gaston Giraud, commonly known by his pseudonyms Gir and Moebius, is an artist of incomparable stature in the field of comics. For the past thirty years, Moebius works have been very influential in the realms of science fiction, animation, advertising, 3-D film, video games and movies. Over the years, the artist has developed a broad pattern of styles from his depiction of Arzach to his realistic visions of Blueberry.

Moebius is especially famous for his sketches of futuristic landscapes with hybrid creatures and highly sophisticated spaceships. It was through his drawings that major film directors like Luc Besson, James Cameron and Ridley Scott got acquainted with him. It was Giraud's artwork that became the key visual reference in movies like The Fifth Element (1997), Alien (1979), The Abyss (1989) and Tron (1982).

Giraud first used his pseudonym Gir in 1963 during his collaboration with Jean-Michel Charlier on the popular Western comic series, Blueberry. Moebius, on the other hand, was created while he was working on his series, Hara-Kiri.

Moebius is the product of my duality. Gir and Moebius each exist within their own world views and their own styles. Gir is the author of classic Hollywood Westerns, whereas Moebius explores the worlds of dreams and science fiction. Gir adheres to the traditional narrative forms of comic strip art, Moebius, on the other hand, transgresses these conventions, Giraud said in a statement.

The Paris exhibition has the artist's creations presented thematically under three groups - metamorphic, abstract and hybrid. It also features original notebooks, comic book panels, paintings and many previously unpublished drawings by the artist. Also greeting the visitors is a sound installation mixing the artist's voice with sound effects inspired by Moebius' work.