Thought behind the thought:
Fast, is one word that we seek most in the modern world? Fast internet, fast food, fast schedules, fast transportation and as a culmination of everything fast results. One such day, while I was at the end of my tether with the ‘slow’ internet speed I was wondering about this self inflicted need for speed. We are so bogged down by the idea of being left behind that we simply push ourselves over the edge in the process to get ahead. At 9:00 am if one were to stand outside any railway, subway or metro station there is an acute possibility that you could be trampled by the exodus of people coming out of the station and trying to get to work on time. At VT station Mumbai one can visually separate Mumbaikars from outsiders just by looking at the pace they are walking at.
About the art:
In the early 1900’s the corporate world exploded in America. The movie ‘Revolutionary Road’ depicts very clearly how people started functioning like clockwork and became slaves of routine. The movie explores and tries to find meaning, in the unromanticized life full of drudgery and shows the desperation, to break its shackles. This particular still from the movie reminds you instantly of Kirk Newman’s flying businessman wearing a suit and fedora, holding briefcases in his hand trying to get to work in time.
Fast Paced 29x18
Quick Off the Blocks 22x30
Kirk Newman work spans from 1960-2005 and the artistic exploration began with abstract art and was followed by non-representational sculpture. Whimsy and satire were the central theme of his sculptures and figures of elongated men, distorted and flattened, convey the fast pace of corporate America. The vulnerability of his subjects can be seen as they are often stumbling, taking long strides or falling in desperation to keep time. The wonderful lines of force in the sculpture make his static sculptures almost kinetic. He is a sculptor, printer and draftsman, creating public art and has deep understanding of the anxiety and turbulence in lives of the modern men and women.
Competition 18x7x4
Go 10x12x3.5
Little Merger 23x8x3.5
The medium of this work is mainly metal and some of his work includes, a sculpture of children at play in Bronson Park, his series ‘Children of the World’ is installed in the Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and ‘Words of Humanity’ installed at Sherman Lake YMCA in 2012.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's ok to hurry up as long as we calm down. After all, there's only one life to experience this magnificent world ; then there will all the time to rest..forever. :-)
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's ok to hurry up as long as we calm down. After all, there's only one life to experience this magnificent world ; then there will all the time to rest..forever. :-)