1.Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss whether it is conceptual art or not. Explain your answer, using a definition of conceptual art.
Conceptual art is considered to be something that does not necessarily need to take a form. It does not have to be something that we can hold or touch, or see with our eyes, but something we feel, or smell or taste. It creates a feeling within ourselves and because it has been created with artistic intention and that is how we can tell it is art. Kapoor's work is defined under the heading of conceptual art because it is more like architecture and has been designed with function in mind and we are able to use it however because it has been created with artistic intention, it becomes conceptual art as well. This is what Anish Kapoor was trying to achieve in her creations and she has done so.
2. 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.
The works here I have featured of Kapoor's work include that of a large door-like shaped piece of red wax that featured in an art exhibition at the Royal Gallery in London, called Svayambh or more commonly referred to as 'the train.' This piece was made by Kapoor in order to represent how he feels he can push the boundaries of what is art and what is architecture, for many artists or even people for that matter, would question whether this could be classed as architecture whatsoever. Here we can further begin to understand that nothing is what we first call it or how it seems. The work 'The Train' is a mere fragment of what architecture should be and what it is traditionally called, this work has no function, it is not a train the public (or otherwise) can use, it serves no purpose other than to be physically pleasing, yet it can still be called architecture.
The second work of Kapoor I have featured here is an outdoor architecture piece from Jerusalem, Israel, and is similar to his works titled 'The Sky Upside-down.' The piece itself is an 16foot hourglass shaped statue made of stainless steel, and is titled 'Turning The World Upside-down' and clearly, because of the way it has been made, it does just that. It shows the sky the earth and the earth the sky. Kapoor created this work because him and several other designers were asked to create pieces that were "permanent, site-specific works in harmony with the light and colours" (ArtePollino – Another South, 2009.) This piece of work is known throughout the city of Jerusalem as a reference to the city's combination of universal beliefs and controlled beliefs and holiness and profanities.
The final piece is a combination of two works, of which are the same, however in different places - the previously mentioned 'The Sky Upside-down' sky mirrors. The first one is situated in Chicago and is quite similar to the 'Turning The World Upside-down' just very much simplified version. These instalations are designed to be pleasing to the eye but again do not serve much function. These pieces, quite clearly, show the viewer the sky, and create a serene, tranquil feeling.
The second one of these sky mirrors is situated in New York.
3.Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.
This piece is known as Dismemberment Site 1 and was commissioned on New Zealand's private art park known famously as 'The Farm' by New Zealand businessman and patron to the arts, Alan Gibbs.
This piece was created with the intention to ""make body into sky" (Kapoor, 2009) meaning that he wanted to create something so expansive it could be comparative to the sky, or this is how I have interpreted this quote.
4. 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 is situated (as stated above) at the Gibbs Farm of the Kaipara Harbour, which is the largest harbour is the southern hemisphere. It takes the form of a long, tube like mass of metal, that stretches out at each end into eclipse like shapes and then scoops into the middle. It is created from steel tubes and distressed fabric and it massive in size at a length of 85metres. The ideas behind the work were to create something expansive that would stand out against the sky, a difficult task, however Kapoor received huge amounts of praise for this work so was in turn successful.
5. 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?
My favourite work of Kapoor's is defiantly the piece 'Turning The Sky Upside-down' for many reasons. Firstly, yes, I am attracted to the appearance and aesthetics of the work, it is a very pleasing piece to look at, especially how it in itself is so grand, standing at 16feet tall, but I also enjoy it because of the religious connotations it holds. Being in a country such as Israel there are many beliefs that require upholding and they are very strict on those beliefs, so to create a piece that so boldly portrays the polar opposites of holy and unholy, good and bad, poses to mean something very great in the context that it is in. I think Kapoor did well with this piece.
References
Anish Kapoor @ Rockefeller Centre (unknown) http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/003711.html
Anish Kapoor (2009) http://www.gibbsfarm.org.nz/kapoor.php
Baume, N., (2008) Anish Kapoor: Past, Present, Future. The MIT Press.
Peyton - Jones, J., (2011) Anish Kapoor: Turning The World Upside-down In Kensington Gardens. Walther König/Koenig Books
I like how you have defined conceptual art and how you have identified Kapoor's intentions and therefore determined that his work should infact be labelled as conceptual art. I feel the works you have researched from countries outside of New Zealand by Kapoor are fascinating. It was interesting reading what you had to say about the red wax work as I was only familiar with Kapoor's mirror-like works. I like the reasons why you chose 'Turning The Sky Upside-down' as the work of Kapoor's that appealed most to you. After hearing your reasons, I grew slightly more fond of it myself, as you identified and introduced me to aspects of it that I was not previously aware of.
ReplyDeleteI like the images of Kapoor’s installations of which you have chosen to write about for your blog. I like what you say in question five about Kapoor’s work being grand. I found that about his work too, especially with like you say the size he has chosen to work with and the materials he has used for his many very diverse installations. I really like how all his work is so different and I think it’s all amazing in its own way. His installations I think definitely need to be personally viewed to get a better feeling from his work.
ReplyDeleteI like the 3 works you chose. I also did the upside down mirror and thought this was neat. I agree with you that this work does create a serene, tranquil feeling. I like the fact that the viewer didnt need to move their neck in order to see what was above them, they could look directly in the mirror and see the clouds and sky above. You answered number 5 very well. I didnt research this work, but your answer has given me a good understanding, especially about the religion aspect of it. Being a 16 foot high work would be very tall if you were standing beside it.
ReplyDeleteThe work you chose for the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand is very interesting. Concave mirror reflects people, which makes people to have an attention, and see closely themselves.
ReplyDelete"Make body into sky" (Kapoor, 2009) I consider, the artist wanted to convey the sky to the views more closely. Also the favourite work of Kapoor`s you chosen is very interesting. Resembling the social features to work is very dynamic.
Conceptual art being something that we don’t necessarily have to “hold or touch or see or feel or smell or taste” is an interesting concept as this allows for sound to be conceptual art. I think the artistic intention behind an artwork is what makes it art and the idea or concept behind it doesn’t have to be fully formed or functional. I like turning the sky upside-down and the small section at the top and bottom that reflects itself in its own reflection. I would love to visit the farm and see all of the outdoor gallery works of sculptures and such as i think this would be very interesting and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI chose the same with you, of Kapoor’s work, that large door-like shaped piece of red wax. I especially like the red color with the train in his work. The view over the door seems indistinct and far-off. Aesthetics inspiration came from the red in his work that made to have the power which is concentration. The color in his works mostly leads to think his religion and Caste class. Unfortunately, I suddenly thought of an irrational religious inspiration and the pain in absolutely constant Caste class. He found the value of the pain in itself giving the same way that cannot get off
ReplyDelete