Anish Kapoor

Cloud Gate (2004), Millennium Park, Chicago

Celebrated for his gigantic, stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park, Anish Kapoor is changing the cultural environment with his public works. 

1.Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss whether it is conceptual art or not. Explain your answer, using a definition of conceptual art.
 

The definition of conceptual art is "Art that is intended to convey an idea or concept to the perceiver and need not involve the creation or appreciation of a traditional art object such as a painting or sculpture." (www.thefreedictionary.com, 2009). Based on this definition, I feel that Kapoor's work can be considered as conceptual art because it doesn't involve the creation or appreciation of traditional art. On the other hand, however, it is hard to interpret what idea or concept Kapoor is trying to convey in a number of his works.

2. Research 3 quite different works by Kapoor from countries outside New Zealand to discuss the ideas behind the work. Include images of each work on your blog.

Tall Tree and the Eye - Tall Tree and the Eye is a fifteen metre tall, steel structure, that is made from seventy six shiny balls. Kapoor's idea behind this sculpture draws inspiration from German poet, Rainer Maria Rilk, in that it is "a kind of eye, that is reflecting images endlessly." (Kapoor, 2009)

Cloud Gate - Cloud Gate is a massive bean shaped sculpture that has been built out of 168 stainless steel plates that have been welded together. Kapoor has used a theme that he uses in a number of his works which is creating a good photo opportunity for tourists by using highly reflective surfaces. He has aimed to "evoke immateriality, and the spiritual."

Ascension - In Ascension, Kapoor has created a "tangible, rising column" of smoke, a usually immaterial substance. Once again, Kapoor seems to have worked with the idea of spirituality.

3.Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.

4. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work?

Kapoor was commissioned to create this work for Allan Gibbs' farm. It is made up of a "vast, PVC membrane, stretched between two giant, steel ellipses." The work is related to Kapoor's previous works at the BALTIC and the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, but due to being in an uninclosed space, experiencing the work is much more "sensual."
5. Comment on which work by Kapoor is your favourite, and explain why. Are you personally attracted more by the ideas or the aesthetics of the work?

My favourite work of Kapoor's is Cloud Gate because of it's massive scale. I really like how its surface is so flawlessly smooth and gives such a clear reflection, while distorting the image at the same time. Cloud Gate's position combined with smoothness makes the work almost looks liquid. Personally I am more attracted to the aesthetics of Kapoor's work. 
Youtube has some excellent footage on Kapoor-take a look at Anish Kapoor at the Royal Academy.

www.royalacademy.org.uk › 
http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/thefarm.htm
http://www.billslater.com/cloudgate/ 

Dismemberment of Jeanne d’Arc- 

Old Municipal Market Building Brighton

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conceptual+art

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate#Relevant_Kapoor_themes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/sep/20/anish-kapoor-sculpture-royal-academy

http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/thefarm.htm

http://www.lissongallery.com/#/artists/anish-kapoor/