“Altar to Chases High School” is an installation created by Christian Boltanski in 1988, belonging to the Conceptual Art movement. The artwork exemplifies the genre of installation art, a form that emphasizes the notion and idea over aesthetic and material concerns.
The artwork consists of a constructed altar-like assembly, featuring a series of blurred black and white portraits, predominantly of youthful faces, mounted on a structure resembling brickwork and wooden elements. These photographs are juxtaposed with small, round lamps affixed to the images, connected with visible electrical wiring. The lamps are positioned in front of each portrait, casting a somber, reflective light. The installation evokes themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time, with a minimalist yet powerful aesthetic that compels the viewer to contemplate the transient nature of human existence. The deliberate use of blurred imagery adds an enigmatic layer, inviting introspection regarding the individuals portrayed and the collective memory of their experiences.
