I went to Frieze Fair in 2013 and the two pieces that changed my perspective of art and paved my aesthetic style today, was 'Decline of Western Civilization' (2013) by Joel Morrison, and Zhan Wang's 'Artificial Rocks' (2007). Both of which were made to look exquisite, cast from a shiny material that was stainless steel.
Artificial Rock A-63, 2007, stainless steel
Artificial Rock #10, 2001, stainless steel, H. 29 1/2 in. (75 cm); W. 17 11/16 in. (45 cm); D. 7 1/2 in. (19 cm)
Zhan Wang, Ornamental Rock No. 71, 2006-2008, polished stainless steel, 170.2 x 157.5 x 106.7 cm
Key points:
- The natural curves of the forms drew me too them, not to mention the high shine surface and reflective qualities. The rocks resemble something natural, yet are something entirely man made.
- Stainless Steel is a man made material, and these sculptures have also been polished to perfection.
- "Zhan created his sculpture by moulding a flat sheet of metal to a natural rock formation; once removed, this shiny skin is reformed to create a hollow and abstract representation of nature." (Saatchi Gallery, 2016). It explains on the Saatchi website that this high shine aspect in Wang's work connects with the 'spiritual emblem, merging their associative connotations of stability, prosperity, and wealth.' Therefore, a high shine surface symbolises this connection with wealth and value.
Reflections:
- This relates back to the book 'Jeff Koons a Retrospective' as there is a paragraph that explains Jeff Koons' reasonings behind choosing the high shine surface for his Balloon figures, is similar to Wang's, that we are attracted to shiny objects because they connect with health and wealth.
Futher Research
- Experiment with Stainless steel
Sources: Saatchi Gallery (2016) http://www.saatchigallery.com/artists/artpages/zhan_wang_ornamental_rock.htm
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