APPOART

“We live in a fractured world. I’ve always seen it as my role as an artist to attempt to make wholeness”

Sir Anish Mikhail Kapoor, born on March 12, 1954, in Mumbai, India, is a prominent British-Indian sculptor known for his innovative installation and conceptual art. He has lived and worked in London since the 1970s and is recognized as one of the most influential artists of contemporary times.

Kapoor was born to an Iraqi Jewish mother and an Indian Punjabi Hindu father. He attended The Doon School in Dehradun before moving to Israel in 1971, where he initially studied electrical engineering but soon shifted his focus to art. In 1973, he moved to the UK to pursue formal art education at Hornsey College of Art and Chelsea School of Art. 

Artistic style:

Anish Kapoor’s artistic style is characterized by a profound exploration of form, space, and perception, blending elements of abstraction with rich cultural and philosophical themes. His work often invites viewers to engage in a reflective dialogue with the art, creating immersive experiences that challenge traditional notions of sculpture. He is renowned also for his bold use of color, particularly deep reds and blues, which evoke strong emotional responses. These colors are not merely aesthetic choices; they carry cultural significance and resonate with themes of vitality and infinity. His materials range from polished metals to vivid pigments, often transforming into almost living entities that reflect or absorb light, enhancing the mystical quality of his work.

A recurring theme in Kapoor’s work is the exploration of dualities: light versus dark, presence versus absence, and the visible versus the invisible. This tension creates a sense of mystery, prompting viewers to reflect on their own existence and perceptions. His fascination with concepts like infinity is evident in works that suggest endlessness through reflective surfaces or forms that appear to extend beyond physical boundaries.

Most important works:

1. Cloud Gate (2004-2006)

Located in Millennium Park, Chicago, this iconic sculpture, colloquially known as “The Bean,” is made from 110 tons of highly polished stainless steel. Its reflective surface distorts the skyline and invites interaction, allowing visitors to see themselves and their surroundings in new ways. At 33 feet high and 66 feet long, it has become a symbol of the city.

2. Dismemberment Site 1 (2009)

This vast public sculpture is situated at Gibbs Farm in New Zealand and measures as large as an eight-story building. Made from a durable textile, it features a trumpet-like shape designed to amplify sounds from the landscape, creating a dramatic visual and auditory experience.

3. Marsyas (2002-2003)

Commissioned for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in London, Marsyas consists of red PVC canvas stretched over a steel framework, forming a massive double trumpet shape. This work engages with the space in a way that makes it feel both monumental and intimate, challenging viewers’ perceptions of scale and form.

4. Sky Mirror (2001)

This large convex mirror reflects the sky above it, creating a dynamic interplay between the artwork and its environment. Kapoor has exhibited Sky Mirror in various locations, including Rockefeller Center and Kensington Gardens, where it transforms its surroundings by reflecting the changing skies.

5. Descension (2014)

Originally created for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in India, this installation features a swirling vortex of water that appears to descend into a bottomless pit. The water is dyed black to enhance the illusion of depth, making it a powerful exploration of voids and the nature of perception.

6. ArcelorMittal Orbit (2012)

Commissioned for the London 2012 Olympics, this towering sculpture serves as both an observation tower and a piece of public art. Its twisting form invites visitors to ascend and experience views of the surrounding area while also engaging with Kapoor’s signature themes of balance and instability.

Exhibitions:

1. Anish Kapoor: Reverie and Rupture

Location: Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)

Dates: September 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025

This exhibition will be the largest exploration of Kapoor’s work in North America, featuring over forty pieces that span his career from the 1970s to the present. It will include monumental sculptures in various materials such as PVC, stone, stainless steel, and wax, alongside delicate pigment works and recent paintings. The exhibition aims to transport viewers through Kapoor’s unique material and philosophical strategies.

2. Monadic Singularity

Location: Liverpool Cathedral, UK

Dates: August 10 – September 15, 2024

This exhibition marks a significant UK first for Kapoor, presenting his works within the spiritual context of a cathedral. It will feature large-scale installations and sculptures that engage with the cathedral’s gothic architecture, creating a profound exploration of art and spirituality.

3. Anish Kapoor: Unseen

Location: ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj, Denmark

Dates: April 11 – October 10, 2024

This exhibition will showcase a selection of Kapoor’s works that highlight his distinctive approach to form and perception, further expanding on his exploration of voids and reflections.

These exhibitions promise to offer unique insights into Kapoor’s artistic vision and his ability to engage with space, materiality, and viewer perception in transformative ways.