Thursday, August 02, 2007
Anselm Kiefer Work to be Removed
In Connecticut, a collector of the German artist Anselm Kiefer has been ordered to remove an outdoor sculpture by the artist.
The 2002 work called "Narrow Are the Vessels" is 80 foot long, 6 tonnes in weight, and consists of 17 pieces of concrete.
Collector forced to remove Kiefer sculpture from his property
"In June, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the work could legally be classed as a “structure” requiring approval from the HDC (Historic District Commission) because it was “affixed to the land” by its own multi-tonne weight and gravity." Art Newspaper
The Art Newspaper says that the collector Andrew J. Hall will not fight the case in court, where only lawyers win, but will loan the work to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Hall also said "Having read the court’s ruling, we note it is their opinion that the HDC very likely does not have jurisdiction over sculpture that can be moved ‘relatively easily’. We plan to replace the Kiefer work with sculptures that can be moved relatively easily."
I absolutely LOVE the paintings of Anselm Kiefer, but some of his sculptures or installations leave me scratching my head.
>> Famous Artists, Sculpture, Art Controversy ¶ 8:13 PM
In Connecticut, a collector of the German artist Anselm Kiefer has been ordered to remove an outdoor sculpture by the artist.The 2002 work called "Narrow Are the Vessels" is 80 foot long, 6 tonnes in weight, and consists of 17 pieces of concrete.
Collector forced to remove Kiefer sculpture from his property
"In June, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the work could legally be classed as a “structure” requiring approval from the HDC (Historic District Commission) because it was “affixed to the land” by its own multi-tonne weight and gravity." Art Newspaper
The Art Newspaper says that the collector Andrew J. Hall will not fight the case in court, where only lawyers win, but will loan the work to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Hall also said "Having read the court’s ruling, we note it is their opinion that the HDC very likely does not have jurisdiction over sculpture that can be moved ‘relatively easily’. We plan to replace the Kiefer work with sculptures that can be moved relatively easily."
I absolutely LOVE the paintings of Anselm Kiefer, but some of his sculptures or installations leave me scratching my head.
>> Famous Artists, Sculpture, Art Controversy ¶ 8:13 PM
When I saw this photo I jumped ahead of the story and imagined that the neighbours had wanted this eyesore removed and had applied to the court to have it legally defined as a pile of rubbish. That would have been a better story.
The court's definition of a non-movable structure wouldn't stand up in London courts. Last year we had a spate of heavyweight bronze statues - a Henry Moore reclining figure was one - being nicked for their meltdown value. A mobile crane and a flatloader were all it took.
Good thing about concrete over bronze: no meltdown value. Bad news: you have to pay someone to take it away!
The court's definition of a non-movable structure wouldn't stand up in London courts. Last year we had a spate of heavyweight bronze statues - a Henry Moore reclining figure was one - being nicked for their meltdown value. A mobile crane and a flatloader were all it took.
Good thing about concrete over bronze: no meltdown value. Bad news: you have to pay someone to take it away!
I too thought it just a pile of something and then read your blog entry. I love his paintings, but yes I am scratching my head too.
Surely a Henry Moore would be worth more as as a Henry Moore? I guess a stolen Henry Moore is worth much less though.
Imagine carving up Michelangelo's David for bathroom tiles..lol.
And yeah, it's probably not a very flattering photo of the Anselm Kiefer, but I can't help thinking it looks like a pile of rubbish.
Stick with the paint brushes Anselm!
Imagine carving up Michelangelo's David for bathroom tiles..lol.
And yeah, it's probably not a very flattering photo of the Anselm Kiefer, but I can't help thinking it looks like a pile of rubbish.
Stick with the paint brushes Anselm!
This pile of rubbish is what I call Crap Art. Too many curators of Museums have given this kind of junk authenticity by displaying it. The Hirshorn Museum in DC has a few pieces which are little better. Art requires creativity, not just an attempt to milk a collector, doesn't it?
# posted by 
: 9:50 AM
: 9:50 AM
Connecticut is famous for pushing up rocks. If they buried the Anselm, it might pop back up in a couple hundred years, and might even be improved by burial. Just a thought.
# posted by : 3:58 PM
: 3:58 PM
I do think that Anselm Keifer is a great artist but if his work is placed somewhere where it isnt appreciated then it should be moved
Shouldnt any artwork need to be able to stand on its own? without a literal or verbal description in order to accept it?
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