Lot 662 N

“By making light a central concern of his work, Elíasson is reflecting the great significance of light in the modern scientific worldview and the modern urban environment. The world of the theory of relativity, and all that as resulted from it, can be traced to attempts to explain the nature of light. It is woven into a new world picture and is one of its deepest enigmas. Light, space and time are an inseparable trinity. So it should come as no surprise that many commentators see a strong reference in Elíasson's work to the world of physics and contemporary cosmology. Light is of key significance not only to our scientific worldview but also in our mundane, everyday life. New light technology has transformed our perception of the environment, not least in the cold North where there are only a few hours of daylight during winter. […] Two fundamental elements of nature have featured prominently in Elíasson's work from the beginning: light and water. […] The Icelandic environment is a constant reminder of the presence of water, and Icelanders are very preoccupied on a daily basis with water in one form or another, ice, steam, rivers and waterfalls, rain and fog, hot water from the ground and cold, clear drinking water from springs.” (Gunnar J. Árnason, in: Eiríkur Porláksson (Hg.), Frost acitivity, Ausst.Kat. Reykjavik Art Museum, Hafnarhús, Reykjavik 2004, S. 14-16).
Die “Eisskulptur” ist ein exemplarisches Beispiel für die künstlerische Intention Olafur Elíassons, mit durchaus einfachen, unscheinbaren Mitteln faszinierende Naturphänomene sichtbar zu machen, indem er natürliche Materialien und im Freien beobachtete physikalische Erscheinungen in gut fassbare menschliche Dimensionen überträgt und in Innenräumen für den Betrachter erlebbar macht. Die Verwendung von einfachen Materialien wie Holz, Folie und Metallklammern, die die Außenansicht der Installation bestimmen, steht dabei im Gegensatz zu den beeindruckenden optischen Effekten, die sich dem Betrachter beim Blick durch das Kaleidoskop eröffnen.