It is because of the WWI Centenary that there has been quite a few large works of art created which have leaped into the public domain. There are two pieces which have caught my eye, and not just because of the amount of publicity they have achieved.
Nele Azevedo MINIMUM MONUMENT
5000 ice sculptures all sat down, resting before they disappear for the final time in their human forms. This temporal piece of art is dependent on the weather as to how long it lasts. It was set up in the centre of Birmingham, on the steps below the fountain, a very busy place during rush hour in the morning. The placement of this installation got a great deal of attraction and participation as it was set up early – prime time. I want my art to be as exposed as possible, so the attention taken to placement is definitely something to be learnt from this. The transparency created by the frozen sculptures forms a ghostly appearance, which some people would believe they are. As the day begins to warm them up, the ice begins to melt and returns back to water. Similar to how the men’s forms turn back to nothing in reality. The artist originally did an installation similar to this about water and ice cap destruction. This sense of loss and waste is evident here. The question raised being, was all this time and effort spent making these models and water a waste? This same question can be transferred to what these sculptures represent. All of the men’s and civilian lives lost to this war, was it all a waste of effort and time? I believe having this ‘waiting for time to be up’ feeling with this installation is a well thought out theme that is conveyed over the thought and sculpture. The audience want to see themselves at least one of the bodies melt, and so spend quite a time there – effectively achieving what every artist wants from their audience. Observation and time.
5000 ice sculptures all sat down, resting before they disappear for the final time in their human forms. This temporal piece of art is dependent on the weather as to how long it lasts. It was set up in the centre of Birmingham, on the steps below the fountain, a very busy place during rush hour in the morning. The placement of this installation got a great deal of attraction and participation as it was set up early – prime time. I want my art to be as exposed as possible, so the attention taken to placement is definitely something to be learnt from this. The transparency created by the frozen sculptures forms a ghostly appearance, which some people would believe they are. As the day begins to warm them up, the ice begins to melt and returns back to water. Similar to how the men’s forms turn back to nothing in reality. The artist originally did an installation similar to this about water and ice cap destruction. This sense of loss and waste is evident here. The question raised being, was all this time and effort spent making these models and water a waste? This same question can be transferred to what these sculptures represent. All of the men’s and civilian lives lost to this war, was it all a waste of effort and time? I believe having this ‘waiting for time to be up’ feeling with this installation is a well thought out theme that is conveyed over the thought and sculpture. The audience want to see themselves at least one of the bodies melt, and so spend quite a time there – effectively achieving what every artist wants from their audience. Observation and time.
Paul Cummins Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
888264 poppies will be placed to finally form this art installation around the tower of London. It has been formed here as this was one of the main places the men who went off to WWI swore their allegiance. This carpet of poppies covers a large area of the grounds. The uniform ceramic flower heads ensure that they will last, similar to the memory of the men who lost their lives for our freedom. Cummins is allowing these to be sold to the public and funds from it will go to war charities, prolonging the cause and significance of these sculptures. It allows again important audience participation. Similar to this some of the poppies have been ‘planted’ by some famous people, creating exposure for this installation. In one section of it, it almost seems as though there is a river of blood falling from one of the towers, creating many connotations and crossovers to the men who fought in the war. These poppies are not symbols of each individual, but of the bloodshed and the horrors that were present. It is due to the amount of poppies that in sections it becomes somewhat suffocating and chaotic. They seem to seep everywhere. This reflects the effect that the gas grenades created. As soon as they seeped into the men’s lungs, they could no longer breathe and there was nothing that could be done for these men. They were lost and added on to the continuing name list. The site makes this installation even more evident, bring history into the current times. Again, this work shows the importance and what can be achieved by selecting the right place to show/put ones work.
JOBSON, Christopher. 2014. "888,246 Ceramic Poppies Surround the Tower of London to Commemorate WWI". Colossal, [online]. Available at: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/07/tower-of-london-poppies/ [accessed 27 September 2014].
LLOYD, Matt. 2014. "5,000 ice sculptures placed on city steps in moving World War 1 commemoration". Birmingham Mail, [online]. Available at: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/news/uk/305100/pictures-ice-sculptures-mark-wwi-sacrifices/ [accessed 27 September 2014].
888264 poppies will be placed to finally form this art installation around the tower of London. It has been formed here as this was one of the main places the men who went off to WWI swore their allegiance. This carpet of poppies covers a large area of the grounds. The uniform ceramic flower heads ensure that they will last, similar to the memory of the men who lost their lives for our freedom. Cummins is allowing these to be sold to the public and funds from it will go to war charities, prolonging the cause and significance of these sculptures. It allows again important audience participation. Similar to this some of the poppies have been ‘planted’ by some famous people, creating exposure for this installation. In one section of it, it almost seems as though there is a river of blood falling from one of the towers, creating many connotations and crossovers to the men who fought in the war. These poppies are not symbols of each individual, but of the bloodshed and the horrors that were present. It is due to the amount of poppies that in sections it becomes somewhat suffocating and chaotic. They seem to seep everywhere. This reflects the effect that the gas grenades created. As soon as they seeped into the men’s lungs, they could no longer breathe and there was nothing that could be done for these men. They were lost and added on to the continuing name list. The site makes this installation even more evident, bring history into the current times. Again, this work shows the importance and what can be achieved by selecting the right place to show/put ones work.
JOBSON, Christopher. 2014. "888,246 Ceramic Poppies Surround the Tower of London to Commemorate WWI". Colossal, [online]. Available at: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/07/tower-of-london-poppies/ [accessed 27 September 2014].
LLOYD, Matt. 2014. "5,000 ice sculptures placed on city steps in moving World War 1 commemoration". Birmingham Mail, [online]. Available at: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/news/uk/305100/pictures-ice-sculptures-mark-wwi-sacrifices/ [accessed 27 September 2014].