Sunday 26 August 2012

Anish Kapoor

"You lie on a couch and deposit material in the space between you and the analyst. You create a third space and that is one of the interesting things about how and psychoanalysis link with each other." (Anish Kapoor, Artist)

'Tall Tree and the Eye' (2009) Anish Kapoor

 Questions from the Cadi Blog:

I. Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss whether it is conceptual art or not. Explain your answer, using a definition of conceptual art.
According to Wainwright (n.d.):

      Conceptual art, also called post-object art or art-as-idea, artwork whose medium is 
      an idea (or a concept), usually manipulated by the tools of language and sometimes 
      documented by photography. Its concerns are idea-based rather than formal. 
      (para. 1)

 Kapoor's work definitely fits into conceptual art. Even though he was not fully involved in the process and making of his works, it is still his design. His works are more ideas and concept based. Rather than the skill of the artist, its the thinking of the artist. Sol Lewitt, who was considered a Master of Conceptualism, have said "ideas alone can be works of art; they are in a chain of development that may eventually find some form. All ideas need not be made physical."

II. Research 3 quite different works by Kapoor from countries outside New Zealand to discuss the ideas behind the work. Include images of each work on your blog. 

'Sky Mirror, Red' (2010) Anish Kapoor

'Sky Mirror, Red' is a work Kapoor installed in Kensington Gardens, London. The work is about creating a fake reflection of the sun on the lake. The shape was also inspired by scientist in the past using telescopes to look at astronomy. The work's intention is also to disturb the peace and harmony of the 'blueness' of the lake and sky by adding a touch of red. Because the work is out in the natural environment, Kapoor have also added "Art for the dogs and for the swans!...Art for all." (2010, para. 8)

'Turning the World Upside Down' (2010) Anish Kapoor

The work 'Turning the World Upside Down', is pretty much like what the title says. The work is installed in Crown Plaza at Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel. The work shows the viewer a reflection of the world upside down and distorted within the concave structure of the work. The work is about forcing the viewer to participate with the artwork. Looking at ourselves in the mirror surface of the artwork but a different version of ourselves. Almost like the idea of a parallel universe.

'Leviathan' (2011) Anish Kapoor
'Leviathan' (2011) Anish Kapoor

'Leviathan' is big scale sculpture installed in the Grand Palais of Paris, France. The work was inspired by Leviathan, a monster that is so big it can't control its own body. The work is more about the psychological conscious of being inside and inside-out. Outside people see this huge blob-like monster, darkening the surroundings and filling up the space where light can't touch people. But inside people seem to be closer to the light. The hint of light shown through the red reminds us of when we close our eyes in the light. It also brings us back to when we are in our mother's womb. It could also represent our own soul within our shell of body. Whatever the work represents, 'Leviathan' shows that our minds and body coexist.

III. Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand. 

'The Farm' (2009) Anish Kapoor

'The Farm' (named after the site) is a work about becoming a part of the horizon, joining together the sky and land. The work is also like a giant kaleidoscope, it enhances the view of Kaipara Harbour when a viewer looks through the work at one end.

IV. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work? 
Kapoor's work, 'The Farm' is in a private estate outdoor art gallery, Gibbs Farm, in Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand. According to Fabric Architecture (2010):

      The sculpture is fabricated in a custom deep red PVC-coated polyester fabric by 
      Ferrari Textiles supported by two identical matching red structural steel ellipses that 
      weigh 42,750kg each. The fabric alone weighs 7,200kg. (para. 3)

The idea of 'The Farm' is almost like the representation of Mother Nature. The red, represents the colour underneath our skin. The membrane-like material of the work gives a little movement with the weather, as if its a belly of some giant. Kapoor (2009) have confirmed this idea, saying "I want to make body into sky" (para. 2). 

V. Comment on which work by Kapoor is your favourite, and explain why. Are you personally attracted more by the ideas or the aesthetics of the work? 

'Cloud Gate' (2004-2006) Anish Kapoor
'Cloud Gate' (Detail from below)

I really like 'Cloud Gate' (2004-2006) both for the aesthetic and concept. For the aesthetic, I personally like how its a very modernist and minimalistic design. Inspired by liquid mercury, its very futuristic and blends in with the environment of Chicago yet stands out as an art piece at the same time. The tall buildings of Chicago adds even more the futuristic look to the work. I also like how the bean shape and mirror surface of the work involves the viewer into the piece. The work also makes the viewer come closer to see themselves and the world in several perspective. As the viewer come closer the world also gets a bit distorted and the work seems to jump out.

For the concept, I like the title 'Cloud Gate' because the work seems to bring the whole world closer to our view. Its almost like a false 'gate' to heaven. As you keep getting closer to the work, the world gets distorted. Then you enter below the work, like you are expecting a 'Cloud Gate', but all you see is yourself in several perspectives. I also like how the small concave shadow area below the work separates the viewer from the outside world.     


Reference:

 Henrichy0205yt. (2011, May 27). Anish Kapoor: Leviathan at Grand Palais Paris 
      [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/12Ni0c4D27Y

Lala, K. (2010, June 2). Giants. SPREAD ArtCulture, 5, 52-55. Retrieved from 
      http://issuu.com/SPREADARTCULTURE/docs/spread5issuu/57

Matthews, T. M. (2010). Reuniting the mind and body: Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate and 
      phenomenological experience (Master thesis, The Florida State University, Florida).
      Retrieved from http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04082010-165000/

O Production Ltd. (2010, October 7). Anish Kapoor: Turning the world upside down in 
      Kensington [Video file]. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/15626427

Tyrrel, R. (2010, November 27). Look out India, here I come. The Guardian, 37-39.
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1 comment:

  1. Unknown21 January 2015 at 20:30

    The best and the perfect ideas about the CADI. It is a useful task in case off design.

    ReplyDelete

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