I haven’t been blogging much but that doesn’t mean the art has been lacklustre. On the contrary – I’ve needed some time to find words to do it justice.
I’d never even heard of Anthony McCall untiI I stumbled into the room which housed “You and I Horizontal” at the Light Show Exhibition at the MCA in Sydney this June. So incredible – he transformed a few linear projected lights with a with a waft of smoke into amazing solid light sculptures that divide up and question our notions of space, in a similar way to Richard Serra’s rusted steel sculptures.
Down at Dark MOFO it was awesome to see these light sculptures on a grander scale. Dark Park housed a number of his Solid Light Works in a slightly sinister old warehouse down at Macquarie Point. As the sculptures are constantly moving – doors appear or light walls would converge to block your way. I visited three times during my stay, and it was great to see how everyone, from all works of life, understood how Anthony McCall was challenging how we walk through space.
Looking back at the Marina Abramovic’s exhibition Private Archaeology at MONA, I am surprised to say that I was really moved by the strange crystal chakra room. I am not into crystals, chakras or chantings in everyday life, I’m a scientist for christsake! Rather than approach the work with cynicism, people chose to stop and respond to the work, which was really touching to see.
James Turrell remains the master of engaging people, because without us, there is no artwork. After seeing so much of his work in the past year – Guggenheim, the NGA and his work in Light Show, I didn’t expect much from Amarna. Whatever – another sky space. We trekked out there for the sunset sequence and oh WOW. The transitions through the colours with the Derwent Valley in the background – truly sublime.
Through the looking glass 