T. I. F. Stories
By Tatsumi Shinoda (Selection Director for Tokyo International Forum Artwork)
Artworks Gathered in “Ship of Diversity” 9
Martin Puryear
Puryear’s work at the Tokyo International Forum does not only include the black sculpture which resembles a giant basket located at the lobby of 5F, B Block which was previously introduced. There is also a sculpture made of mahogany mosaic in a cylindrical shape which can also be used as a bench seat.
In the artwork of this collection, no central giant work, which exits in his other works, was created. However, an artist like Puryear who personifies the concept of a “ship of diversity” thought that his message can easily reach people if there are a number of works.
After I saw his exhibition in New York, I negotiated for some of Puryear’s works, sitting at his other bench seat sculpture made of walnut which looked like a large derby hat. That sculpture actually looked like a bench seat.
It also looked like an enlarged candy and is quite charming. However, it works as a bench seat. Usually, art work does not offer any “usability,” like providing a seat.
The difference between architecture and art is: to confirm that the art work does not support any architectural structure by stopping in front of an art work. After that I see the details of the shape and color, then I am satisfied with his consciousness to make the art work a prototype of a tool. I sometimes think that I can sit around here.
If there is a sculpture like this work at such a moment, it suits me perfectly. If you sit at a sculpture, you may feel more friendly with it. Isn’t it such a friendliness that Puryear might have targeted with this work?
It is a spirit that we should not think of things with difficulty, but rather think gently. That reminds me of the time when I went to New York to see Puryear’s other works. I went to an adjacent state from New York by car and visited a deserted flat building working as a warehouse and plant.
There was an old man who kindly unlocked the front door chain. The inside was dim, probably to save lighting. Unlike the downtown areas, the place made me lonesome. In the plant, only the upper side of Puryear’s work was illuminated. It looked as if the work was glowing. I felt a bond with it.
[Trays of Roberta]
Location: B Block, 2F Lobby
Photo: Sadamu Saito
|
|
