Cecilia Vicuña
Water Cry 2009
A site specific installation in the entrance way of the Douglass Library. There is unspun wool of various colors hanging from the ceiling, surrounding the open sky light in the center and forming a circle. The wool falls inward on the floor, firmly connecting the ceiling to the floor. The circular repetition imitates life. The warmth of the piece is emphasized by the choice of warm colors, and the material of wool. Warmth is associated with life as cold is with death. Light pours down through the center, and there is a circle on the center of the floor.
Both the circular sky light and the circle on the floor are permanent to the douglass library. It is interesting to think that this artist was left to create an installation based on this structure. I can communicate with this much more strongly than I can with pieces which are made with something in mind, and then placed in a simplistic gallery room.
When you first walk in, there is a statue of a figure which can be seen on the far end of the library - this is a stunning view when looked at through the hanging wool.
The spaces between the wool are uneven, communicating non-uniformity and natural unevenness. The wool sways by people’s movement and the opening and closing of the doors.
On either side there are small rooms with other works. I focused on the female portraiture. Staying with her earthy feel, the edges of each painting look like torn or cut raw canvas. Each woman has symbolic objects intertwined which provide some sort of narrative for her life. These woman are not made to look beautiful but rather unique. She uses a simplified technique of painting. An overall sense of life in sync with nature.
An appropriate exhibition to be shown in the library of a women’s college.
good post, does it relate to your work at all, why did you choose this work?
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