Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Article

Review: Energy and Process - Arte Povera and Anti-form

Today I visited an exhibition held in the Tate Modern, newly discovering sculptural artists such as Lynda Benglis, Gilberto Zorio and several other new names. I enjoyed the layout, which is spacious and simple yet creative using spread out sculptures around the side and two in the centre, complimenting each other. To walk around the room, you are taken through a journey of natural and man-made forms mostly organic. One of these unique sculptures caught my eye from afar, the piece was called ‘Quartered Meteor’ by Lynda Benglis originally created from lead, yet repeated in polyurethane for this particular exhibition. The piece distinguishes a pile of sludge, conveniently placed in the corner of the exhibition room creating a melting effect in a triangular composition. The shiny metal grey surface catches the light as if it has been vanished or finished with a patina. The texture of the piece appears smooth other than some crinkle marks on some parts and the layers creating shadows from the polyurethane poured directly onto the gallery floor. The sculpture has an organic, flowing composition, which creates noise and texture in one’s imagination. For me I an image of liquid metal pouring down, much like a volcano appeared in my mind. Despite the dull colour, the sludge's shape and form can reference laver, it is impressive that such a simple piece can lead one's mind to such a elaborate natural disaster. From afar the piece simply looks like a pile of sludge, yet up close one can appreciate the texture of it. In my opinion, the best part of the piece is the way it causes your mind to travel through a journey of it's own, creating images and movement. ‘Benglis wanted to suggest bodily and geological flows.’ This is a quote from the caption in the gallery, flows are definitely suggested, the dynamic composition of the piece relates to human bodily forms as the shapes of the surge of gunk fall down towards the gallery floor. Although the sculpture has no evidence of person such as human features, Benglis succeeded in involving a dynamic atmosphere in her work. 


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