New Installation Expands His Critique of Global Capitalism and Its Soldiers

Street Artist and Public Artist Isaac Cordal has just finished his most expansive installation of his little corporate and military men to date in Nantes, the city once known as the European capital of the human slave trade. “Follow the Leaders” is “a critical reflection on our inertia as a social mass,” explains Cordal as he describes the massive installation of about 2000 individual pieces.

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

As part of the summer long Le Voyage à Nantes, a large series of installations and cultural events throughout the French city, Cordal’s sad little men again trudge through a grey and soulless world, sometimes staring, sometimes drowning, their dour and thoroughly spent demeanor only lightened by their miniature scale.

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

It is meant as “a metaphor for the collapse of capitalism and the side effects of progress,” he says of the three month installation whose main stage at the Place du Bouffay occupies a 20 m x 18 m space that is illuminated at night. While you may recognize the businessmen figures you may not remember seeing the military soldiers that now mingle freely in these barren and destroyed landcapes. With these slight alterations, including the technological addition of wiring and electricity, common area feels like occupied area in a state of continuous war. The effect of Cordals work is now is darker than before, even in the daylight, and deserves our attention.

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Luis Garcia)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Isaac Cordal. Nantes, France. June 2013 (photo © Isaac Cordal)

Mr. Cordal would like to thank all the people who helped him to realize the project, Le Voyage Nantes (especially David, Marie, Nathan, Gregoire and Catherine), his fantastic team; Cyril, Xavier, Eric, Pierre,Wielfried, Fabienne, Elizabeth Coutant and Elizabeth Ausina, Cristophe, Elliot, Luis, Stephan, Julian, Romain, Yves, Jan (Beaufort), Valérie, and his friends and family.

For more information on Follow the Leaders, please click HERE