February 2, 2014 by Andy Goldsborough

The new Keith Sonnier show of both early works and his Elysian Plain series at Pace is sensational. As a great admirer of his illuminated and sensual sculptures it was an eye opening experience to see the new works alongside his 1969 “Neon Wrapping Neon VI and IV” and 1970 “Ba-O-Ba V” elegant glass composition. As you enter the right front gallery of Pace the nine new Elysian Plain works that were created in his Bridgehampton studio are positioned in a grid of three zones.

Zig Zag Square 2013, neon, enamel paint, glass, aluminum, electrical transformer 8′ x 9′-11″ x 9 1/2″

Lobbed Shape 2013, neon, acrylic, enamel paint, aluminum, electrical wire and transformer 8′-5 1/4″ x 8′-5″ x 14 3/4″

Mirrored Slant 2013, neon, glass mirror, acrylic, aluminum, electrical wire and transformer 9′-6 1/2″ x 76 1/2″ x 17″

Elliptically Lobbed 2013, neon, acrylic, enamel paint, aluminum, electrical wire and transformer 10′ 1 1/2″ x 88″ x 10 1/2″

Torso Trunk 2013, neon, acrylic, aluminum, electrical wire and transformer 9′-6″ x 88″ x 4″

Standing inside the center section with all of the works around me, I was stunned at the sculptures and their material strength and Sonnier’s evolution from incandescent light and sheer fabrics to his mastery of neon, acrylic, glass and mirror. The surfaces reflecting other sculptures as well as shining brightly onto the polished concrete floor inspired me for many projects to come in my own work. I pondered how I could incorporate all of these materials and the qualities they possess with the same mastery that Keith Sonnier has captured in these beautiful new works.

Schmoo-o.g.v 2013, neon, acrylic, aluminum, electrical wire and transformer 10′-11″ x 92 3/4″ x 4″

Peeking out of the back of the gallery I could see the older work “Ba-O-Ba V” centered in the rear of the space. It truly is a masterpiece of composition and such an interesting work with the two circular glass elements reflecting the neon colored light tubes like skin. Opposite the larger work are “Neon Wrapping Neon VI” and “Neon Wrapping Neon IV” in the corners. These two more architectural sculptures fluidly capture color, surface and volume brilliantly in linear elements that twist and turn as they change hue.

Ba-o-Bav 1970, neon, glass, electrical wire and transformer 84″ x 17′ x 18″

Neon Wrapping Neon vi 1969, neon, electrical wire and transformer 73″ x 43″ x 67″

Neon Wrapping Neon iv 1969, neon, electrical wire and transformer 87 1/2″ x 72 3/4″ x 42 1/2″

Don’t miss this mesmerizingly beautiful show!

Keith Sonnier / Elysian Fields + Early Works is currently on view at Pace Gallery 510 West 25th Street in New York.
www.pacegallery.com
www.keithsonnier.com

LALANNE / THE POETRY OF SCULPTURE / November 16, 2013 by Andy Goldsborough

On a beautiful fall day in New York I was lucky enough to catch the Les Lalanne exhibit, The Poetry of Sculpture at Sotheby’s at my friend Elizabeth Moore’s recommendation. I had heard what an incredible installation it was and it far exceeded my wildest dreams. Four vignettes that feel genuinely authentic replicating garden settings for these magical bronze and stone works have been carefully designed as backdrops to Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalannes‘ handsome sculptures. There is even a reflecting pool with waterlilies and the sound of the Olympe (Petit) fountain trickling into the water was so peaceful I didn’t want to ever leave. The rooms have all been painted very dark so that you feel as if you’re in a completely private boxwood hedge environment at night and around every corner is another creature ready to greet you. In contrast, one room hidden in the back corner of the exhibit houses more of the functional pieces-the spectacular pair of Crococonsoles, Miroir, and Singe Allume, two bronze monkey lamps-all at home in a warm reddish brown glowing space. I was the only person in the exhibit except a lovely woman watering the moss that covers the ground platforms throughout the exhibit making my experience even more wonderful. The mastery of these two sculpture masters and curation of Paul Kasmin and Michael Shvo in collaboration with Sotheby’s was a strike of genius. I will let the images speak for themselves but it is a magical and beautiful installation, catch it this week before the show closes November 22nd.

Nouveau Lapin de Victoire (grand), bronze 2010

Olympe (petit) bronze fountain with Carpe (petit) bronze and Tortue Topiaire ii copper in the foreground

Oiseau de Marbre chair, Oiseau de Marbre low table, marble and iron painted black 1974

Requin (moyen), Manganese white bronze 2003

Moutons De Laine (Troupeau de 3), Miroir, Crococonsoles and Chouette De Cristal

Chouette de Cristal (front view), crystal 2003

Chouette de Cristal (side view), crystal 2003

www.sothebys.com

www.paulkasmingallery.com

JAMES TURRELL / ATEN REIGN / June 25, 2013 by Andy Goldsborough

Aten Reign, the new James Turrell light sculpture opened Friday night at the Guggenheim and I was there to get a first look at this incredible new work. The rotunda of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic architectural landmark has been transformed many times and in very different ways but Turrell’s installation reshapes the round volume into an other worldly ellipse combining artificial and natural light from the sky above. Referencing his most famous work of 1979 Roden Crater Project he has once again created a mind boggling achievement in the Guggenheim. All of the open areas between the bullnosed concrete hand rails and ceiling typically open to view work across the rotunda have been completely enclosed allowing the work to be viewed only from below. The ramps have been confined to foot traffic only so that the volume is one soaring space with extraordinary depth looking up to the skylight above. Following are the images I was able to capture of part of this beautiful cycle of light and color. Don’t miss this masterpiece of art, design, light and architecture! Aten Reign remains on view at the Guggenheim through September 25th.

James Turrell photo by Scott Rudd for the Guggenheim

www.guggenheim.org