© Anish KAPOOR

L'Origine du monde

ArtistAnish KAPOOR
Year2004
Size/ Durationlonger diameter of oval: 700cm
Copyright Notice© Anish KAPOOR
Year of acquisition/ donation2004
DescriptionBorn in Mumbai, India in 1954. Lives and works in London, UK.

Anish Kapoor came to England in 1973 to study art first at Hornsey College of Art and then at Chelsea School of Art and Design. From the late 1970’s he began to exhibit his work. At the beginning he produced many sculptures covered with pigments on the surface. Later, these pigment works began to reveal openings, this lead on to works which look like cave entrances, or a crack in the earth, covering the inside of a crevice or hole made in the bedrock-like floor with pigments. His works constructed with varied materials always urge us to reconsider our vision and usual perceptions. In the unknown world generated beyond dimensions, Kapoor’s own views on human existence and life are reflected.

Kapoor uses a range of different materials and methods to create works that encourage us to rethink our visual perception and awareness. A distinguishing feature of "Untitled", which is made from a highly translucent variety of marble called alabaster, is the way light from the surroundings and the inside of the piece appear to combine as one. In "White Dark IX", which is made out of a wooden base and fiberglass, the smoothly curved form of the sphere and the sharp edges of the opening combine to give the piece an air of high tension. Because the surface has a matt white finish that reflects light diffusely, while most of the light from the surroundings is trapped inside the piece, a small amount is gently reflected back outside. "Space as an Object", which consists of an acrylic cube into which air has been injected, takes on different complexions depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The shape and number of the air bubbles differ depending on the viewing angle, producing in the viewer a peculiar floating sensation.

PageTop