Two Little White Slats and Three Little White Slats, Autumn 1980, Vltava River, Prague 1980
Dimensions: support: 293 x 210 mm
Copyright: © Jiri Kovanda | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Here we have Jiri Kovanda’s work, "Two Little White Slats and Three Little White Slats, Autumn 1980, Vltava River, Prague." It’s a black and white photograph mounted on a larger sheet of paper. Editor: It's strangely calming. The subdued tones and the repetition of the white rectangles create a minimalist, almost meditative effect. Curator: Indeed. The slats introduce a subtle disruption within the natural environment, prompting us to question our relationship with the spaces we inhabit. Note that Kovanda documented the exact placement with a hand-drawn sketch above the photographs. Editor: Right, it seems Kovanda wanted to mark territory, but not in an aggressive way. By placing these simple objects, he highlighted issues of access and the politics of space. Curator: His actions prompt contemplation on our interactions with our surroundings. It is a transient intervention with lasting conceptual impact. Editor: It definitely prompts a sense of quiet observation. A gentle reminder to pause and reflect.
Comments
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/kovanda-two-little-white-slats-and-three-little-white-slats-autumn-1980-vltava-river-t12423
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
Kovanda’s works present almost imperceptible actions or tiny sculptural objects in public spaces. They are intended to be unrecognisable as artworks to passers-by. In these two examples, ordinary objects are placed in unlikely locations to create unusual scenarios. The resulting photographs are casual and ephemeral yet engendered with a poetic sensibility. Gallery label, April 2009