Phonetic Shortcut 2002

John Chamberlain created "Phonetic Shortcut" from painted and chromium-plated steel, and the way he twisted those materials, that's the whole story. It's like he's taking a shortcut through the alphabet of form. I’m drawn to how the sculpture flirts with the edge of chaos, metal ribbons bursting forth in a joyous riot of color. There's a playful tension between the heavy, industrial nature of the steel and the almost weightless, floating quality of the composition. Notice how Chamberlain folds and crushes the metal, exposing raw edges and unexpected reflections? That’s where the sculpture sings, in the raw, unadulterated physicality of the material. It reminds me of a more playful, less dogmatic Frank Stella, both artists bending the rules of sculpture to fit their own vision. It all feels so light and free, proving that art is really just an ongoing conversation.