Despite
their differences, “Fireflies on the Water” (2002) and “I Am Who Am” (2013) provide
a similar atmospheric world for viewers and listeners. In “Fireflies on the
Water,” Kusama explores the concept of infinity by inviting visitors to immerse
themselves in an installation created with mirrors, lights, and water. In “I Am
Who Am,” Miller sits in a room of lights and mirrors while reciting verses that
address depression, spirituality, and artistic transcendence. Both
artists meditate on the duality of limitation and freedom while inviting
viewers to do the same. From time to time, I revisit each work to explore their themes. Kusama asks me to step into a box and contemplate life from a birds-eye view. Miller asks me to watch as he himself steps into a box and contemplates life from a birds-eye view. When
one steps into this realm, one realizes that human beings tend to understand
infinity through the confines of a finite space. Perhaps our bodies are the
finite spaces, in addition to art exhibits. We can see and hear that there is something beyond, but we cannot grasp it, save for a fleeting moment. Indeed, Kusama and Miller use sight and sound to evoke an endless space
that is paradoxically its own end. For that, they are unlikely birds of a
feather.
-AW
-AW
**
Watch a video of Kusama’s "Fireflies on the Water" installation here:
Watch Miller’s "I Am Who Am (Killin' Time)" video here:
Read about Kusama here: http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/FirefliesOnTheWater
Read about Miller here: http://www.macmillerofficial.com/
This is a great observation, well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
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