Tate Modern Review

On this day at the Tate Modern we were asked to choose a particular room that has caught our attention and to say what we have found interesting, what technics and materials we found inspiring, what we didn't understand ... 

I've been interpellate by this very particular movement that is "Arte Povera" or also known as "Anti Form" in the Energy and Process section. This name comes from Germano Celant, an Italian art critic, that noticed the use of poor materials and the idea of changing physical states instead of representing real objects or people.  The artists are using everyday materials (wood, iron, glass, fabrics...) instead of classic fine art resources and not common techniques such as painting or photography but carving or melting. 

I chose to regroup works from different artists that use the same materials and have almost the same ideas. At first what you notice immediately when you enter the room is the wooden works by Susumu Koshimizu and the one by Giuseppe Penone. 

(Author's own 30.09.13)

The artists try to show meanings in the everyday objects and materials and that art is everywhere around us, in our environment. They are also thrilled to show the essential properties of materials. 

I found this sculpture by Penone really massive and spectacular. To make this installation the artist first began to scrape the wood away from an old tree so he will reveal its inside structure, so we can see how the tree was at a precedent stage of its growth. Penone stands against deconstruction and waste by creating a new tree from an old tree (recycling). I like that the sculpture had been thought to be displayed in a museum, the size is quite important, not as much as the artists' other works, but the domination and infinity effect is still here. 

     
"A sensitive approach to materials is still possible in an industrialized world" (Tate Modern sign)

This other work by Susumu Koshimizu is also really impressive. These saw cutting wooden planks reflect the solidity and the malleability of wood. Koshimizu doesn't want to be tricked by technology and want to show materials as they really are. 

Research on wooden works on my sketchbook

(Author's own 30.09.13)

The second group of work can be classified as "Gravity". They are all mainly made of stones. 

This work is "Godret Stone" by Seng-Taek Lee. The artist wants to show different properties of materials. Even if the stones are heavy and solid, they seem to become light and float hanging on the cords. I really liked the idea to change people's point of view about everyday materials. In trying to make new things with different resources we will arrive at more originality in the way things are created. I also love the trompe l'oeil effect here. At first we start thinking that the volumes are not made of stones but of plastic or resin because they seem so light and small. 

In his work, Kishio Suga wants to show the difference between the interior ("inner intellectual and emotional world" (Tate Modern, 30.09.13)) and the exterior ("material work of objects" (Tate Modern, 30.09.13)) of structures. We are also unsure about what is supporting and what is supported (wire? Stones? Plinth? ...)

I found this piece really intriguing. I don't know if I will be able to explain why but when you enter the room your eyes are looking at it at first and you try to understand what this would actually mean. As you don't find an obvious explanation directly it gives you the opportunity to think about it  and use your brain to find a solution. For me this odd sculpture is a kind of thinking factory. 

"The invisible forces that structure the world" (Tate Modern, 30.09.13)

The category for me which was the least interesting is the Texture and Energy category. I found it too simple and less elaborate compared to massive works as the ones made of  wood. 

Nevertheless I found the idea of letting materials determine their own form and fall from their own weight really clever. The arrangement will change each time the installation is moved to a new exhibition, it will be displayed as something totally new and unique. 

                       

Bibliography 

Websites  

- Tate Modern (2013) 'Level 4 : Energy and Process' (Online) London. Tate Modern. Available at : http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks?sid=2338&ws=date&wv=grid (Accessed 30.09.13) 

- The Art Story (2010) 'Arte Povera Movement, Artists and Major Works' (Online). The Art Story. Available at : http://www.theartstory.org/movement-arte-povera.htm (Accessed 30.09.13)

Exhibition Visit

- Tate Modern 'Energy and Process' (30.09.13) 

- Video : Culture Minute visits Arte Povera at Tate Modern, Telegraph (2009) Available at : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-reviews/5395508/Video-Culture-Minute-Arte-povera-at-Tate-Modern.html (Accessed 30.09.13)