Review - Tate Modern

The exhibition ‘Transformed Visions’ introduces artists who explore the erosion of the figure in the art of the 1940s and 1950s. The exhibition focuses on the tension between the physical and abstract in the art. Walking around this exhibition I found myself drawn to Thomas Hirschhorn’s ‘Candelabra with heads’. What simply looked like mannequins cocooned in brown packing tape, conveyed so much more as the faces of the mannequins seemed to be evolving.

In room one there was only two pieces of work; Hirschhorn’s ‘Candelabra with heads’ and Germaine Richier's 'Shepherd of the Landes’, which was displayed directly opposite from each other. Both works reveal harshly contrasting ways of presenting the human figure.

The sculpture worked well being in this room as it further emphasized the stiffness and restriction.

Thomas Hirschhorn is a Swiss artist who works and lives in Paris. Hirschhorn is known for his sculpture and installations with brown packing tape.

When carefully analysing his work I felt a sense of restriction as the mannequins were tightly compressed together with brown packing tape. This suggested a sense of ‘no freedom’; whether that be in society or his life, this piece leaves the observer’s speculating. It is important in this exhibition that you have an open mind when viewing the work because during this period of time living through many crises’ followed by the Second World War, artists were faced with the predicament of how to make art in the shadow of catastrophe.

Hirschhorn’s work is made up of everyday materials such as cardboard, paper and plastic bound with brown packing tape. I feel like his work combines more than one field of art and design. Despite the fact that the piece visually is a sculpture, you can see the combination within Fashion and textiles because of the material he uses and how he portrays it.

I see many connections within this piece of work that are similar to my interests. Especially the use of material. I enjoy exploring different ways and methods to portray the same idea. I think the use of brown packing tape makes this piece prominent.