Enchanting tendrils

Roxy Paine (b.1966)
Maelstrom
stainless steel
weighing over seven tons and measuring 130 feet long by 45 feet wide.
Roxy Paine on the Roof: Maelstrom
The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
April 28 - October 25, 2009
Image: http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine/ Photo: Sheila Griffin


These are the types of things that make me miss NYC with a passion. Heading up to to the Met's roof for art. This looks to be one of the best they've had. If you can get to nyc by November 29 do it and go see it and tell me all about it! Please check out more of Paine's work here:
http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine/#

Paine's tree sculptures are incredible. Maelstrom brings more into the tree. It is one of Paine's "Dendroids based on systems such as vascular networks, tree roots, industrial piping, and fungal mycelia" (http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId={6267CA47-491B-4776-A468-0673F8362B0F}) It takes hardens the natural tendril quality of the tree in steel with the backdrop of Central Park. Digital images surely don't do it any kind of remote justice, as I imagine the experience of wandering through the tendrils and hollows of the negative space which the branches create. I'm not sure how Paine's work has escaped my knowledge for this long.

For a great short article about this work, I recommend checking out Roxy on the Roof by Max Weintraub via the art:20 blog.

sun-sneezers

Sun-sneezers blow light bubbles, 2007-08
Ranjani Shettar (Indian, 1977-)
Installation
Stainless steel, muslin cloth, tamaraind kernel powder paste and lacquer
Images: artnet.com

I recently saw an exhibition of Ranjani Shettar's work at SFMoMA. Installations are a hard thing to share via the web but the pamphlet from the exhibition is sitting here next to me with this wonderful work on the cover, I wanted to share it.

"Shettar's sinous, organic structures suggest natural elements while utilizing both man-made and natural materials, as well as incorporating pre-industrial workmanship with contemporary technique. Though her sculptures initially appear delicate and fragile, upon closer examination, one realizes that each petal or wing like appendage is made of wrought iron or solidly cast in some kind of resin. In this way, Shettar's works testify to ideas of history, process, time, and evolution." (Marisa Naksone. http://www.examiner.com/x-533-SF-Art-Examiner~y2009m3d23-New-Work-Ranjani-Shettar-at-SFMOMA)

Loader

Loader, 2008
Brian McCutcheon
Steel, fiberglass, resin, urethane plastic, auto paint, enamel paint, tinted lexan
Current location: White River State Park, Indianapolis

Brian McCutcheon is interested in the male image in art and culture. We can easily see the masculine aspects as a result of McCutcheon's choice of object. The sculpture is based on a "boy's toy" as McCutcheon states, his commentary on this particular sculpture focusing on male imagery. One could see an interplay between the choice of modeling after a toy in a monumental sculpture as questioning the interchange between boy man.

Despite these possible overtones, I find the sculpture particularly whimsical (the bright yellow aids that). I was struck by the physical and aesthetic elements of Loader, the strikingly different views I got by changing my position around the sculpture. It was very well located along a bridge path along with other large scale sculptures. in White River State Park.

Indianapolis is wonderfully dedicated to public art. Be sure to wander the city next time you might be going through. They have art location pamphlets to take you along as well.
Public Art Indianapolis


Images: A.L.H.

Hope

Hope, 2008
Robert Indiana
Polished stainless steel, edition of 9 18 x 18 x 9 inches
Rosenbaum Contemporary

Most well known for his LOVE sculpture, Obama's campaign inspired this sculpture. Originally displayed at the Denver convention, the sculpture has debuted in various cities throughout the country. Indiana raised much money for Obama's campaign through the sale of HOPE paraphernalia.

Enjoy the new day.