Nasher’s STATUESQUE in the sweltering sun

by Betsy Lewis July 24, 2011

I saw STATUESQUE for the second time on Saturday, July 23rd, from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The temperature was 90 degrees at arrival and 94 degrees at departure. The sun was already angry. I went to observe how looking at art outside under a punishing sun would affect how we look at art. Rather than interpret my notes, I typed out exactly what I wrote at each sculpture.

1. Pawel Althamer and the Nowolipie Group, Sylvvia, 2010

Best in show. Super sexy.

Old people walk quickly by. Rewards time spent looking but people are not. Too orgasmy?

A made-human. 3 hands. Back arched.

Giant lady laying in shade.  Exhibitionist. Medusa head. Smaller people in her hair.

Erotic. I enjoyed her.

2. Huma Bhabha, The Orientalist, 2007

Missed it first time. Far corner back of garden.

Commands his corner w/o overwhelming.

In shade. Breeze.

Ugliness of decaying shaman.

Lord of the Flies.

 3. Aaron Curry, Horned Head Trip (reclining), 2010

In garden.

Does not work in this garden. Competes + loses.

Echoes but detracts from the Calder a few feet away.

(Explanation: “in garden” as opposed to Curry’s other pink piece.)

4. Aaron Curry, Big Pink, 2010

Out front. At entrance.

Mind fuck for children.

(Explanation:  As I approached the main entrance, a little girl leaped onto the sculpture, wanting her mom to take a picture. An attendant swooped out of the building to move her off the piece. Everything about this sculpture screams “Little girl come play on me” — it’s neon freaking pink and looks like playground equipment. Mind fuck for children.)

 

 

5.Aaron Curry, Yellow Bird Boy, 2010

Hideous. Pushed off to side of garden entrance.

Looks wilted. Half assed.

No right angles.

Oh no. The dog got sick.

(Observed: A man in a wheelchair spent a long time explaining this work to two elderly lady companions. The wheels of his chair were the same day-glo yellow as the sculpture.)

 

6. Thomas Houseago, Untitled (Sprawling Octopus Man), 2009

Another hot friend. Kids like.

Frankenstein’s monster made from parent’s garage.

Moving because extends to many points in space. Arms legs feet head.

(Explanation: I actually looked at #9 before looking at #6.)

 

 

 

7. Thomas Houseago, Untitled (Lumpy Figure), 2009

Like him – looks like Clamdigger and indeed placed by DeK’s “Seated Woman.”

Frame exposed.

Looks like responding to direct hit of sunlight.

(Explanation: DeKooning’s Clamdigger is my favorite sculpture at the Nasher.)

 

8. Thomas Houseago,Untitled (Red Man), 2008

God-like.

Side – all butt. Ominous from behind – backlit + sinewy, muscle.

Sweet spot of the garden.

9. Matthew Monahan, Nation Builder, 2010

Placed on garden grass steps angling down to lecture area. Perfect placement. Half way down.

Battle-scarred and hot.

Bottommost step, looking up, he’s framed by trees – giving him iconic bearing of his name

10. Rebecca Warren, Large Concretized Monument to the Twentieth Century, 2007

Could not find.

It’s inside. Why? Then put by Clamdigger.

Very female, indigenous.

Hand-sculpted? Nice to see sexiness.

Would have been better by Houseago pieces. Loud + sensual.

Teen boys not noticing breast w nipple.

 

Details: The Chief Curator of STATUESQUE is Nicholas Baume, Director of Public Art Fund, for City Hall Park, New York, where many of these images were shot. STATUESQUE runs through August 21st. The accompanying free brochure has several fine references to Star Wars.

Betsy Lewis is a writer who likes art and lives in Dallas. Stay hydrated, people.

 

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1 comment

Ben Lima July 27, 2011 - 15:44

Love it!

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