Sophie Calle: Série Noire

Encasing found pulp novels in vitrines, Calle recontextualizes lurid paperbacks with a series of questions ruminating on grief. Following formal and thematic motifs present throughout the artist’s oeuvre, Série Noire is textual and investigative–a playful series that knowingly embraces kitsch.

Color image of a white paperback book, framed in a white box with a yellow banner of text across the glass of the frame

Color image of a paperback book, framed in a white box with a yellow banner of text across the glass of the frame

Color image of a black paperback book, framed in a white box with a yellow banner of text across the glass of the frame

A found book reading "Farewell My Lovely" in a white box, with a yellow band of text over the top.

A red paperback book, framed in a white box with a yellow banner of text across the glass of the frame.

Sophie Calle: Série Noire

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (No Tears from the Widow)

2021

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 8-1/4 x 2-3/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 21.9 x 7 cm], edition of 1 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (Tears Are For Angels)

2021

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 8-1/4 x 2-3/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 21.9 x 7 cm], edition of 1 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (The Last Goodbye)

2021

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 8-1/4 x 2-3/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 21.9 x 7 cm], edition of 1 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (Farewell My Lovely)

2020

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 2-3/4 x 8-1/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 7 x 21.9 cm], edition of 1

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (The Corpse Came Calling)

2020

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 2-3/4 x 8-1/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 7 x 21.9 cm], edition of 1 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleSérie Noire (The Big Sleep)

2020

found book and artist’s text in wooden box, 11 x 8-1/4 x 2-3/4 inches (overall) [27.9 x 21.9 x 7 cm], edition of 1 + 1 AP

Black and white photograph of mustachioed man at ATM machine

Sophie Calle: Cash Machine

Calle’s Cash Machine photographs are made from ATM video surveillance footage, and each work is exhibited as a sequence of two to eleven images.

Black and white photographs of mustachioed man at ATM machine in vertical sequence — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine (03-19), 1991 - 2003

three gelatin silver prints, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Three black and white photographs taken from a surveillance camera of a woman up close, using an ATM — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine (03-21), 1991-2003

three gelatin silver prints, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Black and white photograph of a woman at an ATM — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine (03-21), 1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Four black and white photographs of a man at an ATM in a horizontal sequence — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine (04-32), 1991 - 2003

four gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Black and white photograph of a man at an ATM — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine (04-32), 1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Color image of six black and white polaroids with time stamps depicting shadowy figures in silver frame — Sophie Calle, Cash Machine polaroids (06-16), 1991 - 2014

six polaroids, 16 x 31 inches (framed) [40.6 x 78.7 cm]

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-19)

1991 - 2003

three gelatin silver prints, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-19)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-19)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-19)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-21)

1991-2003

three gelatin silver prints, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-21)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-21)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (03-21)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (04-32)

1991 - 2003

four gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (each image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (04-32)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (04-32)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine (04-32)

1991 - 2003

gelatin silver print, 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (image, sheet & mount) [30 x 40 cm], edition of 2 + 1 AP

Sophie CalleCash Machine polaroids (06-16)

1991 - 2014

six polaroids, 16 x 31 inches (framed) [40.6 x 78.7 cm]

Sophie CalleCash Machine polaroids (06-15)

1991 - 2014

six polaroids, 16 x 31 inches (framed) [40.6 x 78.7 cm]

A framed photograph of the artist holding a child to her breast, inside a wooden box

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 — 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 — 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. — 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." — 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 — 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. — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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?'" — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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

Sophie CalleNorth Pole

2018

pigment print, embroidered woolen cloth, wooden box, 26 x 37 x 3 inches (overall) [67 x 93 x 7 cm]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 the photographer's reflection in the surface of a headstone

Sophie Calle: Autobiographies

A square framed text panel hanging over a framed photograph of the photographer's reflection in the surface of a headstone — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Concession), 2018

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

A framed square text panel describing the process of purchasing a grave — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Concession), [detail], 2018

20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm]

A square framed photograph of a woman in the ocean hanging over a framed text panel — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood), 2013

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

A framed square black and white photograph of a woman in the ocean — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood), [detail], 2013

20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm]

A vertical framed text panel of diary entries — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood), 2013

30 x 20 inches (image) [76 x 51 cm]

A small framed photograph of a woman in a graveyard hanging over a large framed text panel — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Morning), 2016

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 90 x 40 inches (overall) [229 x 102 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

A framed square photograph of a woman in a graveyard, behind a tombstone reading "Father," with her hair in front of her faace — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Morning), [detail], 2016

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm], edition of 5 in English & 5 in French

A large, vertical framed text panel describing the last days of the artist's father — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (Morning), [detail], 2016

67 x 39 inches (framed) [170 x 100 cm]

A square framed text panel hanging over a framed photograph of a sculpture of a woman lying on the ground — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (My Mother Died), 2013

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

A square framed text panel describing a diary entry by the artist — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (My Mother Died), detail, [2013]

20 x 20 inches (text panel), [51 x 51 cm]

A framed photograph of a sculpture of a woman lying on her side, turned 90 degrees clockwise — Sophie Calle, Autobiographies (My Mother Died), [detail], 2013

30 x 20 inches (image) [76 x 51 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Concession)

2018

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Concession)

[detail], 2018

20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Concession)

[detail], 2018

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 30 x 20 inches (framed) [76 x 51 cm], edition of 5 in English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood)

2013

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood)

[detail], 2013

20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Dead in a Good Mood)

2013

30 x 20 inches (image) [76 x 51 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Morning)

2016

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 90 x 40 inches (overall) [229 x 102 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Morning)

[detail], 2016

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 20 x 20 inches (framed) [51 x 51 cm], edition of 5 in English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (Morning)

[detail], 2016

67 x 39 inches (framed) [170 x 100 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (My Mother Died)

2013

pigment print mounted on aluminum, text panel, 50 x 20 inches (overall) [127 x 51 cm], edition of 5 English & 5 in French

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (My Mother Died)

detail, [2013]

20 x 20 inches (text panel), [51 x 51 cm]

Sophie CalleAutobiographies (My Mother Died)

[detail], 2013

30 x 20 inches (image) [76 x 51 cm]