I don't know what it is about 20th century German artist Joseph Beuys, but he continues to fascinate me. Maybe it's that he preferred to create his pieces from such basic materials such as felt, fur, fat, iron, honey and gold -- substances which to him held iconic and almost magical powers.
His choice of found materials seems especially relevant today. Maybe that's why I hauled in my beloved WWII-era iron horseshoe bench from the garden the other night and draped it with a goat fur cushion. By itself, it was just a cool iron bench. But with the fur, it feels both elemental and subversive, two qualities I can't recommend highly enough. To Beuys, iron symbolized strength and the link between the bloodstream and the earth. Fur, on the other hand, was soft, feminine and protective.
I think it will add a certain seditious element to my next dinner party. At least I hope so.
(Top photo credit: Ronald Feldman Fine Arts)
6 comments:
This is a real thoroughbred of a chair.
I am seeing "horse shoes" welded to create this one of a kind rare breed. Am I seeing things.
Very Duquette...love it! I would be running to sit in that chair.
my favorite is his explaining art to a dead hare, I feel it would be much easier to explain art to a dead hare than a dead audience...
The bench has a very medieval feeling - the iron and fur. Its great.
I love this idea/ So cool.
ps i just added your blog to my link list:)
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