Anish Kapoor in "London" - Season 10 - "Art in the Twenty-First Century" | Art21

Summary

Anish Kapoor delves into the nature of perception, objecthood, and the emotional engagement of viewers with his art. He discusses how objects are illusory, shaped by the viewer’s internal world, and explores concavity as a tool for creating a sense of vertigo and mystery. Kapoor reflects on his personal influences, including his childhood in Dehradun, India, and how it informs his use of color, particularly red, to evoke interiority and transformation. His works, like *Cloud Gate* and *My Red Homeland*, invite contemplation on scale, identity, and the unknowable nature of reality, offering a profound exploration of self and perception.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anish Kapoor believes that objects are illusory and never fully what they appear to be, shaped by the viewer's emotions and perceptions.
• 😀 The viewer's involvement is central to Kapoor’s work, as there is always a conversation between the object and the observer.
• 😀 Kapoor explores concavity in his work, as opposed to traditional convex forms, to create a sense of vertigo and an altered perception of space.
• 😀 Geometry, when taken to its extreme, becomes unknowable, prompting a shift from logical understanding to a more mysterious engagement with space.
• 😀 Kapoor's art often explores the relationship between scale and emotionality, showing how the size of an object can affect the spirit and one's sense of self.
• 😀 His iconic work, 'Cloud Gate,' plays with the idea of scale, constantly shifting in relation to the viewer's position, challenging traditional perceptions of size.
• 😀 Kapoor associates the color red with emotional and psychological depth, describing it as an immersive experience that surrounds the viewer.
• 😀 His work often involves internal and external realms, using art as a means to explore the space between the two and the complexities of the human psyche.
• 😀 Kapoor’s career is a long, ongoing process of self-exploration, with art serving as a means of opening oneself to inner truths and unconscious impulses.
• 😀 His upbringing in Dehradun, India, influenced his work, with the landscape and colors of his homeland leaving a lasting impact on his artistic vision.
• 😀 Kapoor’s creative process is organic, with works emerging from spontaneous drawings and thoughts, evolving as they are made and refined over time.

Q & A

What does Anish Kapoor mean when he says 'Objects are illusory'?

Kapoor suggests that objects are never what they initially appear to be. Our perception of them is influenced by emotions such as love, hate, or desire, and their true essence is not always clear or fixed. The viewer plays an active role in shaping the object’s meaning.

How does Anish Kapoor view the relationship between the viewer and the object?

Kapoor believes that there is always a conversation between the viewer and the object. The viewer’s perception, emotions, and interaction with the object influence its meaning, making the relationship dynamic and subjective.

What is the significance of concavity in Kapoor's work?

Concavity in Kapoor's work creates a sense of focus and transformation, as it magnifies and inverts everything within it. This shifting perspective, often accompanied by a sense of vertigo, plays with the viewer's perception of reality and challenges geometric norms.

What does Kapoor mean by 'geometry becomes unknowable'?

Kapoor suggests that when geometry is pushed to its extreme, it becomes paradoxical and unknowable. While geometry is traditionally seen as a precise science, in his art, it takes on an unpredictable and mysterious quality that challenges conventional understanding.

Why does Kapoor focus on the idea of 'falling' in his work?

The theme of falling, particularly referenced through Lewis Carroll’s work, ties into the idea of concavity. Kapoor uses this concept to explore depth, uncertainty, and the psychological impact of space, where falling represents a loss of control or a shift in perception.

What is the role of scale in Kapoor's artwork?

Kapoor emphasizes the concept of 'scale' as a combination of meaning, size, and emotionality. While the physical size of an object is measurable, scale in Kapoor’s work influences how the viewer feels in relation to the object, which can evoke existential questions about one's own significance.

How did Kapoor's early life influence his art?

Growing up in Dehradun, India, near the Himalayas, Kapoor was surrounded by a constant, mysterious presence of the mountains. This early exposure to vast natural landscapes has influenced his exploration of voids, interiors, and the concept of space in his art.

What does Kapoor mean by 'red as interior'?

Kapoor uses red to symbolize an immersive, interior experience. For him, red is more than just a color; it represents a psychological state that envelops the viewer and reflects an inner world, transcending the exterior and moving into deeper, more intimate spaces.

How does Kapoor view the relationship between art and psychoanalysis?

Kapoor suggests that psychoanalysis, which he engaged with for over 30 years, parallels the process of creating art. Both deal with exploring the inner world and unconscious processes, which Kapoor considers just as significant, if not more, than external reality.

What is the core idea behind Kapoor's 'Symphony for a Beloved Son'?

In 'Symphony for a Beloved Son,' Kapoor uses mechanical processes, such as conveyor belts carrying lumps of wax, to create a sense of presence, decay, and transformation. The work explores the idea of constant, inevitable change through a slow, almost imperceptible process.