Do objects have souls? If you embrace the integrity of materials, then yes. At least, so says Lee Ufan (b. 1936). His largest outdoor sculpture project in the USA consists of mostly unaltered boulders and stainless-steel plates arranged carefully to create a 鈥渟pace where you can feel mystery, relatedness鈥 between humans and the natural world. This is also the first site-specific commission by a single artist to fill the Hirshhorn鈥檚, Washington DC, 4.3-acre outdoor plaza, with 10 new works from the ongoing Relatum series.
鈥淢odernism is connected to colonialism and imperialism,鈥 Ufan explains about the inspiration behind the installations. The sculptures create 鈥渃racks鈥 in the museum鈥檚 perfect, motionless concrete ring building, designed by Gordon Bunshaft. The wind constantly animates Relatum鈥揃ox Garden, spreading ripples across a water pool site, surrounded by four stainless steel sheets, whilst reflecting the sky and clouds above. In the 搁别濒补迟耻尘鈥揇颈补濒辞驳耻别, a boulder appears to strike up a conversation with another, which turns away, uninterested. They are placed on white gravel, similar to that found in a Zen garden. Morning shadows are painted on the ground, so that there are two shadows (the 鈥渞eal鈥 and the created one) except for a brief moment each day.
The contrasting juxtapositions are especially evocative because no material is treated as superior to another, whether natural or manmade. Ufan elicits sensations and responses in viewers, rather than offering straight representation. He doubles as an art critic and philosopher, and has lived and worked in Japan for more than 60 years. There, he became a leading figure of the Mono-ha (鈥渟chool of things鈥) movement formed in response to the country鈥檚 fast-paced industrialisation. This presentation at Hirshhorn urges the viewer to sit, contemplate and revel in everyday objects.
Until 13 September. Find out more
Olivia Hampton
Lead image: Lee Ufan, Relatum 鈥 The Shadow of the Stars, 2014. Installation view, Ch芒teau de Versailles. 漏 ADAGP Lee Ufan. Courtesy the artist, Kamel Mennour and Pace. Image: TADZIO.
