preview

Art Review: Wolfgang Laib's 'Nowhere-Everywhere'

Decent Essays

Art review: Nowhere- Everywhere (1998) by Wolfgang Laib Nowhere- Everywhere [title] (1998) [date] by Wolfgang Laib is a free-standing sculpture that consists of two large pyramids flanking one another. What I see: the pyramids are identical and each has steps climbing up the sides. The sculpture is made of blonde wood and beeswax and the steps are relatively rounded so the effect simultaneously recalls children's blocks being stacked on one another as well as replica of an Egyptian pyramid [viewer's context]. The title of the work suggests playfulness and fun and the outline of the blocks in the sheer face of the wood further underlines that this work was created with a spirit of wonder and delight in simplicity, evoking a feeling of joy within me. However, despite the joy conjured up by the sight of Nowhere- Everywhere, the structure is massive. It is also characterized by a kind of raw beauty. Its unadorned, wooden nature seems to be stripped down to its barest elements. The viewer is compelled to ask: why are there two pyramids? What does that signify? The two works are entirely symmetrical, and flank one another several breadths' distance away. Together they create a taller and more imposing impression than they would alone. When standing between the two large structures, the gazer has a sense of being overwhelmed by their size. The immediate sensation which I received upon looking at the work was like being at a theme park or in a city at a small child, and looking

Get Access