Four Seasons, All at Once
Posted in Exhibitions on May 9 2013, by Matt Newman
If our current exhibition isn’t evidence enough, we’re a little sculpture crazy. From inspirational maquettes to full-sized foundry monoliths, exploring and expounding on the efforts of great artists are just two of the things we can’t help but indulge in. And now, with Wild Medicine: Healing Plants Around the World rounding the bend for its May 18 opening, I think the time is about right to introduce the work of our latest visiting sculptor: Philip Haas.
From the beginning of the style in 16th-century Italy to Haas’ modern-day interpretations, the edible motif of Four Seasons has certainly established its historic foundations. But in three dimensions, these 15-foot-tall statues break from the tradition of Giuseppe Arcimboldo‘s original paintings to provide an entirely novel experience.
It takes a talented eye to see a mouth in a bushel of stone fruit, or a cheek’s outline in the curve of a cucumber, but Haas’ knack for creating these “living seasons” makes so much sense when you view his sculptures in person. And that’s something you’ll have an opportunity to do beginning this May in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Courtyard. In the meantime, Ivo was present for the beginning of the installation, just to give you an idea of the breadth and scope of these near-organic masterpieces–Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Four Seasons is on display from May 18 through October 27, running alongside Wild Medicine and on into early fall.
