ART HISTORY FINAL SAMPLE PROJECT

Art History 101

Geometric VII

       Jeppe Hein, born 1974, constructed this interactive sculpture, named Geometric Mirror VII, in 2011. It is made of aluminum, stainless steel, and high polished steel. The exact shape is difficult to distinguish as it changes as it is viewed from different angles, which adds to its appeal. There are two mirrors forming a “V” with a semicircle attached to the back of the “V” and a semicircle cut out of one side of the “V”. This effect creates an image of a perfect circle, but part of it is missing. This interactive sculpture is representative of the minimalist movement in the 1970’s.

       Minimalisms focus was simple geometric shapes like squares and rectangles to form the art. Hein, however includes a semicircle, a modern twist. This particular piece is reminiscent of Robert Harris’s Untitled 1965-1971 interactive sculpture created out of wood and plate glass to form four boxes. The idea of minimalism is the truth within the work. The art is what it is and is to be viewed as such. It is simple, clean, pure, and beautiful. Minimalist artist were, essentially, rebelling against the traditional standards of the creation, and analysis, of art. These artist wanted to make art accessible to all, not just the elite few.

       Geometric VII is very accessible. In fact, it is outside of the museum meaning it can be viewed at any time and in any condition. Being made from super mirrors means that the time of day and weather conditions affect what is seen in it. It is reflecting the person looking at it, skewing the view, and mixing in whatever surroundings it is set in. The lines are so clean and reflective that the sculpture seems to disappear into its surroundings. Though it is tall, it doesn’t appear to occupy much space due to the space being reflected in it. It is simple, clean, and constantly changing. Despite its simplicity it begs the viewer to look, think, and feel.

       What did I feel looking at it? Change, nature, urban sprawl, and how in our world all those elements are constantly present. While walking around the sculpture it is difficult to remove yourself from it. I was a part of the art. I began to question the art. Why is it the way it is? Could it simply be that Hein wanted to place a few shapes together? Did he know, beforehand, the way it would skew the viewers’ perspective? Was the purpose to integrate the viewer and their surroundings? Or to ask the viewer how they fit in to their surroundings. As my position around the work changed so did my perspective. That simple revelation introduced, into a myriad of thoughts, a simple idea. We often live our lives through one perspective and we see the world in one way. However, if we remove ourselves from our normal perspective and into another, there is significant change. The idea behind minimalism and Geometric VII may be simplicity, but what it evokes in the viewer is anything but.