Gordon Matta-Clark

Anne Wagner talks about sculptures in the 1970’s, and how to redefine the conscious and bodily experiences of sculpture and bring it into new spatial play. A nice quote she uses to summarize this is “to manifest consciousness outside of the mind, in front of the eyes.” Wagner argues that this may happen via architecture, by making architecture sculptural art. Two examples she gives in the reading are Alice Aycock’s Maze and Mary Miss’s Perimeter/ Pavilions/ Decoys. Wagner says that these works creates a kind of spatial imaginary and experience because of social knowledge and the perceptions viewers make. My question is what is this consciousness that she is talking about? And what is the significance? Could is consciousness not be manifest if someone is looking at a photograph or a painting?

In the second reading, Matta-Clark’s architectural sculpture is described as a “monument” this is profoundly pessimistic because it will be quickly demolished and that it accepts its fate to be remembered only as a text or photo. Reading this reminded me of The Gates or the Surrounded Islands by Christo. Christo’s artworks take years to months to plan and construct, however, is only on display for two weeks. Would the author of this article think that Christo’s artwork as pessimistic? I don’t think Matta-Clark’s works should be viewed as pessimistic if the artwork was intended to be demolished. Especially in the case of Splitting, if the work was not demolished then the house would have experience weathering of the insides, this I would think would lead people to interpret the artwork much differently.