Sophie Calle: Because
This work is part of Calle’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between narrative, memory, and photography, and mixes humor and melancholy with her particular eye for irony. In each piece, a felt curtain embroidered with Calle’s writing conceals a hidden photograph behind it. In presenting viewers with the text before the picture, Calle upends the usual order in which images are read.
![A wooden box with a red felt curtain with white embroidered text, describing the experience of being at the North Pole](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0000_SC-0218-1.jpg-1130x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, North Pole, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm]
![A wooden box with a red felt curtain with white embroidered text, describing the experience of being at the North Pole, the Curtain lifted at the corner by a hand](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0001_SC-0218-2-no-background.jpg-1130x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, North Pole, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a body of water, reflecting a dark blue sky, with small land masses on either side.](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0002_SC-0218-3.jpg-1130x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, North Pole, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a purple curtain, embroidered with white text "David is dead. Because I have no words to describe his world."](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-1-1187x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, David, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a purple curtain, embroidered with white text, the curtain lifted by a hand](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-2-1333x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, David, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a child's toy against brightly colored, flowered fabric, in a wooden box.](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-3-1117x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, David, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing a photograph of a woman](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0212-1-724x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, The Unknown Woman, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 29 x 23 x 3 inches [73 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a photograph inside of a woman](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SC-0212-3-687x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, The Unknown Woman, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 29 x 23 x 3 inches (overall) [73 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a red curtain, embroidered with white text describing the bullfighter Jose Tomas](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0205-1-718x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, José Tomás, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 19 x 15 x 3 inches (overall) [49 x 38 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a man in a suit, the bullfighter Jose Tomas, inside a wooden box](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0205-3-684x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, José Tomás, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 19 x 15 x 3 inches (overall) [49 x 38 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a blue curtian, embroidered with white text, describing the artist's stepfather](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0209-1-1100x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, She’s Dead, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 21 x 3 inches (overall) [43 x 52 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a photograph from a black and white movie inside](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SC-0209-3-1039x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, She’s Dead, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 21 x 3 inches (overall) [43 x 52 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box, with a purple curtain embroidered with white text, "Because 'Why her?'"](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0217-1-1192x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, Why her?, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 27 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 96 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a graveyard, with an apron around one stone, inside a wooden box](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0217-3-1192x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, Why her?, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 27 x 37 x 3 inches [67 x 96 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing the artist](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0227-1-1094x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, Without Child, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of the artist holding a child to her breast, inside a wooden box](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0227-3-1039x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, Without Child, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box, with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing a bed](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0215-1-1091x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, The Bed, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a concrete bed, inside a wooden box](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0215-3-1015x900.jpg)
Sophie Calle, The Bed, 2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a red felt curtain with white embroidered text, describing the experience of being at the North Pole](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0000_SC-0218-1.jpg.jpg?fit=675%2C537&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleNorth Pole
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm]
![A wooden box with a red felt curtain with white embroidered text, describing the experience of being at the North Pole, the Curtain lifted at the corner by a hand](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0001_SC-0218-2-no-background.jpg.jpg?fit=675%2C537&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleNorth Pole
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a body of water, reflecting a dark blue sky, with small land masses on either side.](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sc-0218_0002_SC-0218-3.jpg.jpg?fit=675%2C537&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleNorth Pole
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a purple curtain, embroidered with white text "David is dead. Because I have no words to describe his world."](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-1.jpg?fit=675%2C512&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleDavid
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a purple curtain, embroidered with white text, the curtain lifted by a hand](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-2.jpg?fit=675%2C456&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleDavid
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a child's toy against brightly colored, flowered fabric, in a wooden box.](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0214-3.jpg?fit=675%2C544&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleDavid
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 23 x 3 inches [43 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing a photograph of a woman](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0212-1.jpg?fit=675%2C840&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleThe Unknown Woman
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 29 x 23 x 3 inches [73 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a photograph inside of a woman](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SC-0212-3.jpg?fit=675%2C884&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleThe Unknown Woman
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 29 x 23 x 3 inches (overall) [73 x 58 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a red curtain, embroidered with white text describing the bullfighter Jose Tomas](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0205-1.jpg?fit=675%2C846&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleJosé Tomás
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 19 x 15 x 3 inches (overall) [49 x 38 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a man in a suit, the bullfighter Jose Tomas, inside a wooden box](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SC-0205-3.jpg?fit=675%2C889&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleJosé Tomás
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 19 x 15 x 3 inches (overall) [49 x 38 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a blue curtian, embroidered with white text, describing the artist's stepfather](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0209-1.jpg?fit=675%2C552&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleShe’s Dead
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 21 x 3 inches (overall) [43 x 52 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a photograph from a black and white movie inside](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SC-0209-3.jpg?fit=675%2C585&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleShe’s Dead
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 17 x 21 x 3 inches (overall) [43 x 52 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box, with a purple curtain embroidered with white text, "Because 'Why her?'"](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0217-1.jpg?fit=675%2C510&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleWhy her?
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 27 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 96 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a graveyard, with an apron around one stone, inside a wooden box](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0217-3.jpg?fit=675%2C510&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleWhy her?
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 27 x 37 x 3 inches [67 x 96 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing the artist](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0227-1.jpg?fit=675%2C555&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleWithout Child
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of the artist holding a child to her breast, inside a wooden box](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0227-3.jpg?fit=675%2C585&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleWithout Child
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A wooden box, with a black curtain, embroidered with white text, describing a bed](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0215-1.jpg?fit=675%2C557&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleThe Bed
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French
![A framed photograph of a concrete bed, inside a wooden box](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SC-0215-3.jpg?fit=675%2C599&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Sophie CalleThe Bed
2018
pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 15 x 19 x 3 inches (overall) [39 x 48 x 7 cm], edition of 3 in English & 3 in French