Anish Kapoor

by Anish Kapoor (Artist)

Since the early 1980s, Anish Kapoor's investigations into objecthood, materiality and gravity have explored the concept of the void, or "objects becoming space." His sculptures, installations and public art test the phenomenology of space and have historically been characterized by intensely tactile or reflective materials--like colored pigments, wax, fiberglass, polished stainless steel and PVC--that resist any narrative reading. This volume documents Kapoor's 2008 commission for the Deutsche Guggenheim, which travels to New York in 2009. Conceived as an intervention in the galleries that prevents any one complete viewing or experience of the work, and fabricated of Cor-Ten steel with industrial hinges and flanges exposed, the work tests the boundaries between sculpture and painting. It is considered in this volume through the lenses of philosophy, structural analysis and postcolonial and architectural theory. In addition to ample color reproductions of the work itself, this volume includes preparatory sketches and architectural renderings.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

120 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I particularly like his reflective sculptures, the disturbing dark blood red ones, as well as the coiled ones that look like rotten meat. It’s also nice to see the many sculptures similar to but of course very different from Cloud Gate.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Anish Kapoor and immediately wanted a sequel, a documentary, and a long nap. Taco Dibbits leaves you wrung out in a good way, with a story that keeps echoing. The ending is abrupt, though, and I'm still sulking. Great for anyone who likes to be wrecked, skip if you hate loose ends.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some Pseuds Corner writing, but it's the gallery of pictures that people will be here for anyway.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anish Kapoor hits like an alarm clock because Homi K. & Pier Luigi Ta Bhabha shows that control isn't just enforced from the top down—it's actively maintained by our daily silence.

[Anushka Aritri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely random find. The cover and sheer size of the book captivated my attention. What can I say, I'm attracted to big books. Especially when it's a sheer red, silky color, not that different from Anish Kapoor's autobiographic book cover.

His work and the diversity of techniques were inspiring to me, since I loved his take on altering space, the subtle scrapes with the absurb, the chaos and order, and his diverse usage of techniques and materials. Definitely a great artist, and hits my sweet spot when it comes to installation art.

I recommend at least a glance at his work, even if you can't bring yourself to read the essays, which were excellent as well.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for writers who tell me about books on their subject's shelves. So a thank you to David Anfam for that. Other essays in the volume were less engaging.

I knew nothing of Kapoor before this volume though I was familiar with Chicago's Millennium Park Cloud Gate. I come away now knowing that 97% of his interior installations are not my cup of tea (I find them creepy and disconcerting, and, no, I don't care if that is what you think art is supposed to do.). I do like the bulk of his exterior pieces and exhibitions -- Could Gate, Taratantara, C Curve, etc.

[Garydtee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of one of the most important artists of our generation. Highly recommended.