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 Elíassons'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.” (AUTOR WIRD NOCH NACHGETRAGEN, in: Eiríkur Porláksson (Hg.), Frost acitivity, Ausst.Kat. Reykjavik Art Museum, Hafnarhús, Reykjavik 2004, S. 14-16).
The 'Ice sculpture' is an excellent example of the artistic intention of Olafur Elíasson, using quite simple, insignificant tools to make fascinating natural phenomenon visible, by transferring natural materials and physical occurances viewed out of doors into easily understood human dimensions and into spaces inside where they can be experienced by the viewer. The use of simple materials such as wood, foil and metal clips, which determine the outside view of the installation, stand in contrast to the impressive optical effects which are opened up to the viewer when they look through the kaleidoscope.