Ten Seated Figures.

  Magdalena Abakanowicz’ Ten Seated Figures is an extremely eye catching display, it appears perfect in it’s composition, yet under close inspection it’s imperfections truly define it as a truly effective exhibit. The way it compliments the colour and texture of the surrounding trees and earth, yet contrast flat earth as the figures erect from the ground, create an extremely gripping aesthetic display.

   Whilst the figures where created in 2010, they appear to express distinct elements of Modernism. A central element in the basis of the Modernist movement was; artists staying true to the materials that they had available to them, embracing the material’s limitations or benefits. The Prefabricated Glass structure of Crystal Palace in 1851 or the media used by Hepworth to create many of her sculptures, such as; the wood used to the create The unknown political prisoner in 1952. These examples perfectly reflect the Modernist need to embrace the chosen media.

   Abakanowicz appears to re-appropriate this concept with Ten Seated Figures, The figures fit so perfectly in the chosen environment as they are unpainted, unsmoothed and imperfect. The medium has not been covered and appears at one with the earth and the trees.