Michel Journiac

Who is Michel Journiac?

Michel Journiac was one of the founders of the 1960s and 1970s Body Art movement in France, called "Art corporel". During these years, many artists started to use the human body as their material. Accordingly, this artist used his own body to perform rituals which he documented through photography or video. His work can be compared to those of Vito Acconci, French artist Gina Pane or Austrian artists of the Viennese Actionism.

It was through his photographic works, his actions and installations, that Michel Journiac, a gay man, attacked society's stereotypes, defended those who existed outside of daily society, and challenged traditional moral values.

His most famous action is probably Messe pour un corps a parody of catholic liturgy where he officiated as a priest, offering the audience pieces of blood sausage made with his own blood.

Michel Journiac also wrote two poetry books, Le Sang nu and Délit du corps and many articles, especially in French art journal ArTitudes.