
Julius Karoubi Norwegian / French, b. 1998
75004 #4, 2024
Glas mosaic and found ceramic tiles on wood panel
26.5 x 21.5 cm
10 3/8 x 8 1/2 in
10 3/8 x 8 1/2 in
Copyright The Artist
Julius Karoubi’s 75004 series, created during his residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, is a vivid translation of the city’s visual and material landscape into mosaic form....
Julius Karoubi’s 75004 series, created during his residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, is a vivid translation of the city’s visual and material landscape into mosaic form. The title, 75004, refers to the postal code of the residency, anchoring the series in the heart of Paris. Each mosaic is constructed from an eclectic mix of materials—ceramic tiles found throughout Paris, from discarded remnants of private homes to materials left behind by a swimming pool contractor, combined with glass mosaics sourced from a 19th-century factory in Venice. These elements, with their own stories and histories, are carefully arranged to create abstract compositions that echo the city's diverse textures and colors.
The motifs in these mosaics are based on intuitive sketches made during Karoubi’s time in Paris, which he describes as visual notes or diaries. These works act like sponges, absorbing and reflecting the visual information from his surroundings—ornamentation, color combinations from market stalls, architectural details, shopping scenes, discarded items, and even the reflective surfaces of Monet’s water lilies and the vibrant atmosphere of the Olympics. Through this series, Karoubi blends traditional mosaic techniques with contemporary abstraction, creating a body of work that not only captures the essence of Paris but also transcends it, offering a personal, tactile exploration of the city’s ever-changing environment.
The motifs in these mosaics are based on intuitive sketches made during Karoubi’s time in Paris, which he describes as visual notes or diaries. These works act like sponges, absorbing and reflecting the visual information from his surroundings—ornamentation, color combinations from market stalls, architectural details, shopping scenes, discarded items, and even the reflective surfaces of Monet’s water lilies and the vibrant atmosphere of the Olympics. Through this series, Karoubi blends traditional mosaic techniques with contemporary abstraction, creating a body of work that not only captures the essence of Paris but also transcends it, offering a personal, tactile exploration of the city’s ever-changing environment.
4
of
4