The people's pottery: Urs Fischer's public clay making takes Moscow
Today (June 10) marks the unveiling of the largest socially-engaged work of art in Moscow’s history. But that wasn’t the intent of artist Urs Fischer with his new show at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in the Russian capital.
'It just happened to be so,' the Swiss-born, neo-Dadaist sculptor tells Wallpaper*. 'My goal in creating this work had nothing to do with size.'
He is referring to the latest edition of his 'YES' project, poised outside the museum in Moscow’s Gorky Park, whereby he invites the public to fashion their own clay sculptures.
The outdoor installation will be on view through 21 August and is a part of 'Small Axe,' a survey of works by Fischer that marks the Garage's first anniversary and responds to the Rem Koolhaas-designed museum through the artist’s signature cheekiness. Fischer will manipulate museumgoers’ sense of perception through his work, like small sculptures that show a wilted flower in a vase and a rat playing in a piano. A life-sized candle will be lit daily, capturing the intimate exchange between a seated couple. Pictures of Fischer's garden in Los Angeles, which he painted over before enlarging the final product, will also be on display.
Above all, Fischer hopes that the largest iteration thus far of the interactive 'YES' project will bring people of all walks of life together. 'The project is focused on collaboration and communication between different people who probably would have no other chance to meet,' explains Fischer. 'At Garage Square you can see couples, friends, children and adults, tourists and locals creating something together.'
INFORMATION
’Small Axe’ by Urs Fischer will be on view at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art through 21 August 21. For more information, visit the museum’s website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ann Binlot is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who covers art, fashion, design, architecture, food, and travel for publications like Wallpaper*, the Wall Street Journal, and Monocle. She is also editor-at-large at Document Journal and Family Style magazines.
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Peter Blake’s sculptures spark joy at Waddington Custot in London
‘Peter Blake: Sculpture and Other Matters’, at London's Waddington Custot, spans six decades of the artist's career
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Oozing, squidgy, erupting forms come alive at Hayward Gallery
‘When Forms Come Alive: Sixty Years of Restless Sculpture’ at Hayward Gallery, London, is a group show full of twists and turns
By Hannah Silver Published
-
New glass sculpture creates a verdant wonderland at Apple’s Cupertino HQ
‘Mirage’ at Apple Park is the work of Zeller & Moye and artist Katie Paterson, a shimmering array of glass columns that snakes through the grounds of the company’s monumental HQ
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Man Ray’s sculptures go on show in New York
‘Man Ray: Other Objects’ opens at Luxembourg + Co, New York, revealing their author’s ‘artistic revolution’
By Hannah Silver Published
-
The best London art exhibitions to see now
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Erwin Wurm’s pop-coloured fantasy land at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
In Erwin Wurm’s first UK museum show, ‘Trap of the Truth’, the artist transforms Yorkshire Sculpture Park into a slightly warped wonderland (10 June 2023 – 28 April 2024)
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
Sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro transforms Fendi’s Rome HQ into a theatre of myth and magic
Fendi’s Roman HQ sets the scene for ‘Il Grande Teatro delle Civiltà’ a major show by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, who has also created a one-off edition of the house’s iconic Peekaboo bag. Read more in the July 2023 Issue of Wallpaper*, on newsstands 8 June
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
Superflex on building an underwater city for fish: ‘there are different rules down there’
Danish art collective Superflex discuss their ambitious Super Reef, an underwater urbanisation project aiming to restore more than 55 square kilometres of stone reef in Danish seas
By Alice Godwin Published