Jiro Takamatsu 1936 -1998
Oneness of Concrete consists of a concrete enclosure in the shape of a simple box, about half a meter square when seen from above, and slightly shallower in height. This ‘box’ is filled with fragments of concrete, the roughness, and irregularity of which contrast with the smoothness of the sculpture’s exterior.
Feb.1st-Tate Modern Museum
For all the exhibits, this one attracted me the most for it is so normal which I thought I could find a similar one on a construction site. I really can not figure it by myself what does this is a piece of art trying to express.
It is said that Takamatsu tries to demonstrate single material’s intrinsic transformative potential as well as its singularity by manipulating it. In focusing the audience’s attention on different aspects or qualities of a given material, these works hint at the complexity of the most simple, everyday objects.
Also, The geometric shape of Oneness of Concrete suggests a dialogue with contemporaneous Western minimalist sculpture by artists including Donald Judd and Sol LeWitt and the irregularity of the concrete rubble in the sculpture’s interior alludes to the detritus of building works.
I found it quite interesting sharing a similar idea with the From Surface to Surface. Koshimizu investigates the substance of wood by sawing planks into different shapes, exposing their surface qualities through different kinds of repetitive cuts.
From Surface to Surface 1971
remade 1986 Susumu Koshimizu
As the picture shows, when we cut longitudinally, the wood takes on an extremely rough surface effect. When we cut horizontally, the surface is very smooth and has a distinctly regular grain pattern. Interestingly, when we cut at a slope, the surface is also smooth, but the fine lines of grain are lost. Instead, there are irregular colour variations in the form of blocks of colour.
I can’t help thinking of Ando who plays with the concrete material so well that uses this single material in various constructions making those buildings have their diversity. A single material can be so diverse by cutting it or polishing it or any other manipulating methods.
Don’t be limited by a single thing. There are an infinite number of ways to manipulate it, and these ways will create possibilities for you constantly.