Anish Kapoor

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.

Kapoor's work is indeed conceptual art. Yes they are stunning installations and maybe on your first glimpse of one of his works you will think it is more about the structure/composition, but it is not untill you know the reasons behind his works that you will see his art is very idea based.

Conceptual art is process where the idea of the artwork exceeds that of its structural form.


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.

This piece by Kapoor named "Marsyas" resides in the turbine hall and is part of  the unilever series. The work is a massive installation that includes 3 trumpet like forms all joint together. The outer rings are made from steel while the material that makes up the form is PVC membrane. Kapoor says the PVC is like Flayed skin, relating to a mythical greek creature that was 'flayed' by Apollo. The work explores the ideas of spacial perception and is insanely huge.

This is the 'Sky Mirror' by Kapoor at the channel gardens entrance in Rockefeller center. It is a large concave circle of stainless steel that reflects the sky. The idea around this piece is that Kapoor wanted a way to bring the sky to the ground. Kapoor calls it a 'non-object' as the illusion changes throughout the day.

'Svayambh' is a piece he showed in 2007 and recently in london 2009. What happens is a big block of red wax is slowly moved through the corridors through the use of a railway system. It has become one of london's mod talked about show since it was exhibited there. The idea behind this piece, and where its name comes from, is that the art creates itself by slowly moving through the corridors.

3.Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.

Much like 'Marsyas', 'The Farm' is a large metal and fabric piece that Kapoor has blessed New Zealand with in the last year. As with the 'Marsyas' Kapoor is  concerned with the way engineering can be turned into the language of the body. Although the Marsyas was temporary, The Farm was designed to be a permanent addition to New Zealand's outdoor gallery in which Kapoor has created his first outdoor fabric sculpture.

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 Kaipara bay, north of Auckland. It is constructed out of steel and PVC Coated polyester. The steel makes up the two rings on the end while the polyester cuts through the mountains in a cylindrical form. The ideas behind the work include showing the language of engineering and the body while cleverly using the space he has to work with to his advantage. Because of how cleverly it is engineered the wind tunnel is able to sustain the harsh winds that blow inland from the Tasman sea.

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 piece by Kapoor would have to be the Sky Mirror. Not because of what it is, but because of the idea. One can not literally bring the sky to the ground, so Kapoor challenges that idea and is able to successfully view the sky from the ground in a stunning and compelling way.

http://www.lissongallery.com/#/artists/anish-kapoor/

http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-arts-anish-kapoor-biography.htm

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/kapoor/default.htm

http://www.publicartfund.org/pafweb/projects/06/kapoor/kapoor-06.html

http://francesspiegel.suite101.com/anish-kapoor-exhibiting-at-royal-academy-of-arts-a155579

http://fabricarchitecturemag.com/articles/0110_sk_sculpture.html

http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/thefarm.htm