Journal Reading: Subodh Gupta, 'The Universe in a Pot'

Subodh Gupta, 'The Universe in a Pot', by Rajesh Punji, article in 'Sculpture' vol.35 no.10 Dec.2016 published by International Sculpture Center. Pages 22-27). 

Key Points:

• Gupta's work stood out to me within the journal for his use of stainless steel - transforming an everyday utensil into an art object. 
• "The transformation of the readymade into art is entirely about giving credence to everyday objects that serve people of all classes"(page 22).
• "Compared to Damien Hirst" for "Provocative works of a grandiose scale" (p.22)
• "Sometimes I think enormity and grandiosity are required to make people stop and think".(p.23)
• "All of my work...is about the physicality of the materials that I am using... as well as the conceptual concept" (page 23). 
• Gupta is allowing the viewer to observe these utilitarian objects as art by putting them in the gallery. 
• In a contemporary context, a gallery space seems to give "credibility" to an object becoming an artwork. (p24). 

Reflection:

• The scale of Gupta's work is something I want to take on board, because I believe the statement about making work of an enormous or grandiose scale could really help the viewer become captivated by the object in my case.