Photographs from Sculpture by the Sea 2007 (part 2)
November 21st 2007 05:01
A post about the 2007 Sculpture by the Sea Bondi-to-Tamarama exhibition (1 November to 18 November).
This is part 2 of 2. For part 1, click here.
For photographs from the 2006 exhibition: part 1, part 2.
Reminiscent of Casper-figures generally, and unmistakable resemblance to the phantom of the opera.
In the programme, there's a photograph of this sculpture from beneath. Perhaps, under ideal conditions, it hangs rather than sits.
The artist writes: "'3 scoops' involves the viewer in both the positive and negative shapes of this sculpture. The work continues the artist's exploration of space, shadow and light."
Frankly, I think this one is better suited to the quiet contemplation of the gallery. There's something there, in the lines and the form. Reminds me a bit of the "Reliquary for Memories (a)" glass sculpture (see the bottom of this page).
Artist writes: "The eagle is perceived as a metaphor for freedom. 'Young Eagle' represents the spirit of being young and free -- a spirit many embrace regardless of age."
Artist writes: "I have always been fascinated by the rarely seen deep sea creatures."
Artist comments: "I would like to carry the beautiful sky to your mind."
Artist writes: "For the life you lived, the memories you left, the mother you were, this is for you."
Artist writes: "These sculptures are a response to the often inappropriate Anglo-European intervention on the land, and our obsessions with the fitness industry."
If you take the title together with the fact that it's made out of car bonnet undercarriages, then it's a heavy-handed environmental message.
But, prior to knowing this, I think you're more likely to interpret the piece as animist, or as a comment on technological transformation. And your initial response is more to do with awe, or uncomfortableness at the distorted form, or meditative awareness of the connection between figure and land and sea, etc.
Artist writes: "Inspired to present ecological awareness concepts in my work. A story poignant to our modern ways, is that of Easter Island and a cultural pursuit that contributed to the end of a civilization."
Reminds me a little of a ring made of frogs that was at "The Hours" exhibition at the MCA.
Artist writes: "Lives, planets and circumstances all go round and round."
I only realized later, when on the bus, that the proper angle to shoot this from was a little to the left, looking down the path between the trees.
Artist writes: "'Aboretum': a grove of trees, drawn in a continuous line through which one may see the ocean and the sky. A memory of a South Coast holiday."
For some reason, I had the idea that this was space junk -- when we no longer have room for it on earth, we send it floating into the infinite rubbish tip upstairs.
Artist seems to think otherwise: "Three precious rags printed with Kyoto protocol blowing in the wind attached by a red life line. An artist's statement for the benefit of mankind's environment."
Artist writes: "The work is reminiscent of the game of Mikado and represents the randomness of events and unavoidable chaos often experienced during the game of life."
Seems to need the landscape. Makes more impact where there is more in the frame. I guess it's a social animal.
Artist comments: "Represents growth under the sun in the valley. Please draw your own conclusions."
Seems to be a lifeguard, though I don't know if it's just the setting that suggests this.
The fascination of the mechanical (Leonardo's robot anyone?), and the similarities and differences between the intricacies of the machine, and the intricacies of life.
Artist comments: "I express the relationship between art, science and technology through kinetic sculptures."
This sculpture reminds me of a whole bunch of things, including: Aboriginal cave art, aliens, a guy with his hands in his pockets...
I didn't see the sadness in it, I suppose partly because it's a happy beach.
The artist writes: "Today we think too much to money, we forget pain, children pain, old people pain. We have to think to the handicapped, to the poor. We have to think to the other people."
The artist writes: "The freedom to be who you are and to enjoy what is."
When I look at this, I'm reminded of tails and shark fins, and I shudder at the roughness of the back of the fin -- there's something disgusting there.
But the artist says: "Having crossed the oceans, travelling through the waters, the seed pod takes to land. A new beginning. Celebrating the earth!"
Artist writes: "My main interest and concern is to question and challenge common visual perception and the shared concept of object and space in the practice of contemporary visual art."
A still sculpture that moves, in the viewer's mind, to form a sphere.
Artist writes: "This is an experiment in which I am expressing the concepts of position and visible topologies as one substance."
Artist writes: "The words compassion and dignity are totally missing from international dialogue in 2007. This holds true of almost all world leaders, religions and political persuasions."
One of the striking things about this sculpture was the smell -- you smelled it before you saw it.
Reminiscent of two pieces at the NSW art gallery: a hoist hanging with bats ("Fruit Bats" (1991) by Lin Onus); and hanging sacs of spices ("Just like drops in time, nothing" (2002) by Ernesto Neto).
Artist writes: "'Lemon tree' is a project where I transform colour into a 3D form. Yellow represents light. For me the lemons are a symbol of the souhern countries and the sun."
Check out a great photo of this sculpture here.
Artist writes: "I hope that a lot of children touch this sculpture. I am looking forward to what they feel."
Incidentally, does the College of Law in Sydney have one of Ushio's sculptures in its foyer? I wonder to what extent the moebius-strip-in-granite thing is a trademark.
By this point my bus was due to arrive in 10 minutes. Only had time to glance at each of the remaining.
I think (but might be wildly wrong) that in this sculpture the glass captures the view that could once be seen through it in this exact position.
Artist comments: "Pilgrimages to views end in pictures which then become fixed as memories. 'Souvenir' takes an image of a past view and places it against the fluidity of time."
Artist writes: "Enough said."
Artist comments: "A symbol of the first sunrise at the creation of the world. Now the ancient symbol is brought out of balance. What really matters is life or death."
Artist writes: "'Sun Stela' is growing from the ground, uplifting the pyramid. The stone is antithetical to the sun's rays, which are absorbed by shades of grey and black."
Artist writes: "All my work centres around human endeavour and the human spirit. The wood for my sculpture grows on our farm."
Swing-powered aeroplane.
Artist comments: "'Zero AGL' is an aeronautical term that means zero above ground level, based on the idea of revitalising an 'injured' airplane via a children's dream of flying."
To me it looks like a big poo, or it reminds me of a gourd.
Artist writes: "The dynamics of interaction between humanity and landscape is a timeless phenomenon that shapes identity in a constantly changing environment." (??)
Artist writes: "'Mobile Home' amplifies the latent non-human life present in an object and proposes an alternative value to its use from luxury to necessity."
Artist comments: "Poised..."
Cubist painting rendered three-dimensional, with head removed.
Artist writes: "This sculpture attempts to find balance and cohesion between the various states (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) that make us human, which seem ever more fractured in modern society."
Very much liked this one. Alien yellow, huge and unignorable, and so striking to come upon it hidden in this grove of trees. Nicely captured pose. Expressive aged head -- somewhat vampiric, with scary eyes -- and a muscled, lined body. Suggestive of Pan or a satyr: of course one looks at the penis; and the speckled-by-the-light effect makes it seem part of nature.
Artist writes: "Appearing conscious, he is depicted as being either raised or lowered -- the choice does not seem to be his. He is wet by and subject to the tides of his condition."
Interesting that the artist tried to work that ambiguity in. I suppose I don't necessarily have that much sympathy with him; to my eyes he is more monster than human, more posing than crushed, and more powerful than cowed.
This is part 2 of 2. For part 1, click here.
For photographs from the 2006 exhibition: part 1, part 2.
***
'3 scoops' by Paul Begg
Reminiscent of Casper-figures generally, and unmistakable resemblance to the phantom of the opera.
In the programme, there's a photograph of this sculpture from beneath. Perhaps, under ideal conditions, it hangs rather than sits.
The artist writes: "'3 scoops' involves the viewer in both the positive and negative shapes of this sculpture. The work continues the artist's exploration of space, shadow and light."
'Toxorchia thalassins' by Anne Ferguson
Frankly, I think this one is better suited to the quiet contemplation of the gallery. There's something there, in the lines and the form. Reminds me a bit of the "Reliquary for Memories (a)" glass sculpture (see the bottom of this page).
Fossil-like and egg-like.
'Young Eagle' by Jian Hua (Justin) Qian
Artist writes: "The eagle is perceived as a metaphor for freedom. 'Young Eagle' represents the spirit of being young and free -- a spirit many embrace regardless of age."
'Deep sea angler fish' by Robert Juniper
Artist writes: "I have always been fascinated by the rarely seen deep sea creatures."
'Pot wagon' by Yoshio Nitta
Looks more like a cannon than a wagon.
Those kids noticed there were living things inside the water, and tried to catch them.
Artist comments: "I would like to carry the beautiful sky to your mind."
'Lift, plonk' by Chi Phan
Artist writes: "For the life you lived, the memories you left, the mother you were, this is for you."
'Body beautiful' by Keith Chidzey
Artist writes: "These sculptures are a response to the often inappropriate Anglo-European intervention on the land, and our obsessions with the fitness industry."
'Ran out of wood' by Daniel Clemmett
If you take the title together with the fact that it's made out of car bonnet undercarriages, then it's a heavy-handed environmental message.
But, prior to knowing this, I think you're more likely to interpret the piece as animist, or as a comment on technological transformation. And your initial response is more to do with awe, or uncomfortableness at the distorted form, or meditative awareness of the connection between figure and land and sea, etc.
Artist writes: "Inspired to present ecological awareness concepts in my work. A story poignant to our modern ways, is that of Easter Island and a cultural pursuit that contributed to the end of a civilization."
'Aroundandaround' by Richard Byrnes
Reminds me a little of a ring made of frogs that was at "The Hours" exhibition at the MCA.
Artist writes: "Lives, planets and circumstances all go round and round."
'Aboretum' by Marguerite Derricourt
I only realized later, when on the bus, that the proper angle to shoot this from was a little to the left, looking down the path between the trees.
Artist writes: "'Aboretum': a grove of trees, drawn in a continuous line through which one may see the ocean and the sky. A memory of a South Coast holiday."
'Formal rags' by Joachim van den Hurk
For some reason, I had the idea that this was space junk -- when we no longer have room for it on earth, we send it floating into the infinite rubbish tip upstairs.
Artist seems to think otherwise: "Three precious rags printed with Kyoto protocol blowing in the wind attached by a red life line. An artist's statement for the benefit of mankind's environment."
'Where they fell' by Melissa Dax
Artist writes: "The work is reminiscent of the game of Mikado and represents the randomness of events and unavoidable chaos often experienced during the game of life."
'Hunter Valley sun' by Stephen Paul Coburn
Seems to need the landscape. Makes more impact where there is more in the frame. I guess it's a social animal.
Artist comments: "Represents growth under the sun in the valley. Please draw your own conclusions."
'On the lookout' by Sam Deal
The Terminator.
Seems to be a lifeguard, though I don't know if it's just the setting that suggests this.
The fascination of the mechanical (Leonardo's robot anyone?), and the similarities and differences between the intricacies of the machine, and the intricacies of life.
Artist comments: "I express the relationship between art, science and technology through kinetic sculptures."
'On the other side' by Jean Michel Boene
Elongated legs.
This sculpture reminds me of a whole bunch of things, including: Aboriginal cave art, aliens, a guy with his hands in his pockets...
I didn't see the sadness in it, I suppose partly because it's a happy beach.
The artist writes: "Today we think too much to money, we forget pain, children pain, old people pain. We have to think to the handicapped, to the poor. We have to think to the other people."
'Bella' by Greg James
The artist writes: "The freedom to be who you are and to enjoy what is."
'New beginning' by Abir Patwardhan
When I look at this, I'm reminded of tails and shark fins, and I shudder at the roughness of the back of the fin -- there's something disgusting there.
But the artist says: "Having crossed the oceans, travelling through the waters, the seed pod takes to land. A new beginning. Celebrating the earth!"
'The table, her chair and my pet' by Yeo Chee Kiong
Artist writes: "My main interest and concern is to question and challenge common visual perception and the shared concept of object and space in the practice of contemporary visual art."
'Transfiguration 'link' xx' by Mitsuo Takeuchi
A still sculpture that moves, in the viewer's mind, to form a sphere.
Artist writes: "This is an experiment in which I am expressing the concepts of position and visible topologies as one substance."
'Peas on earth' by Peter Adams
Artist writes: "The words compassion and dignity are totally missing from international dialogue in 2007. This holds true of almost all world leaders, religions and political persuasions."
'Lemon tree' by Irene Hoppenberg
One of the striking things about this sculpture was the smell -- you smelled it before you saw it.
Reminiscent of two pieces at the NSW art gallery: a hoist hanging with bats ("Fruit Bats" (1991) by Lin Onus); and hanging sacs of spices ("Just like drops in time, nothing" (2002) by Ernesto Neto).
Teat-like, as with the art gallery sculpture.
Artist writes: "'Lemon tree' is a project where I transform colour into a 3D form. Yellow represents light. For me the lemons are a symbol of the souhern countries and the sun."
'Tetrapus' by Bert Flugelman
Check out a great photo of this sculpture here.
'Oushi - zokei 2007' by Keizo Ushio
Artist writes: "I hope that a lot of children touch this sculpture. I am looking forward to what they feel."
Incidentally, does the College of Law in Sydney have one of Ushio's sculptures in its foyer? I wonder to what extent the moebius-strip-in-granite thing is a trademark.
'Souvenir (famous views)' by Thomas Kayser
By this point my bus was due to arrive in 10 minutes. Only had time to glance at each of the remaining.
I think (but might be wildly wrong) that in this sculpture the glass captures the view that could once be seen through it in this exact position.
Artist comments: "Pilgrimages to views end in pictures which then become fixed as memories. 'Souvenir' takes an image of a past view and places it against the fluidity of time."
'The conversation' by Rick Reynolds
Artist writes: "Enough said."
'The obelisk' by Keld Moseholm
Artist comments: "A symbol of the first sunrise at the creation of the world. Now the ancient symbol is brought out of balance. What really matters is life or death."
'Sun Stela' by Martin Kuchar
Artist writes: "'Sun Stela' is growing from the ground, uplifting the pyramid. The stone is antithetical to the sun's rays, which are absorbed by shades of grey and black."
'Log roller IV' by Stephen King
Artist writes: "All my work centres around human endeavour and the human spirit. The wood for my sculpture grows on our farm."
'Zero AGL' by Sandra Landolt
Swing-powered aeroplane.
Artist comments: "'Zero AGL' is an aeronautical term that means zero above ground level, based on the idea of revitalising an 'injured' airplane via a children's dream of flying."
'Moving towards the heart' by Grant Finck
To me it looks like a big poo, or it reminds me of a gourd.
Artist writes: "The dynamics of interaction between humanity and landscape is a timeless phenomenon that shapes identity in a constantly changing environment." (??)
'Mobile Home' by Dale Miles
Artist writes: "'Mobile Home' amplifies the latent non-human life present in an object and proposes an alternative value to its use from luxury to necessity."
'A view to die for' by Ingrid Voorneveld Morley
Artist comments: "Poised..."
'Tribanga III' by Clara Hali
Cubist painting rendered three-dimensional, with head removed.
Female nude with a masculine body.
Artist writes: "This sculpture attempts to find balance and cohesion between the various states (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) that make us human, which seem ever more fractured in modern society."
'Subject to condition' by Gary Deirmendjian
Very much liked this one. Alien yellow, huge and unignorable, and so striking to come upon it hidden in this grove of trees. Nicely captured pose. Expressive aged head -- somewhat vampiric, with scary eyes -- and a muscled, lined body. Suggestive of Pan or a satyr: of course one looks at the penis; and the speckled-by-the-light effect makes it seem part of nature.
Artist writes: "Appearing conscious, he is depicted as being either raised or lowered -- the choice does not seem to be his. He is wet by and subject to the tides of his condition."
Interesting that the artist tried to work that ambiguity in. I suppose I don't necessarily have that much sympathy with him; to my eyes he is more monster than human, more posing than crushed, and more powerful than cowed.
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