#repeated gesture

WOLFGANG LAIB October 2015 in Tokyo, Japan

I’ve known Laib’s work for several years now and have always been drawn to the power of his works as they describe the peaceful process of his daily life - collecting pollen. The receptiveness suggests complete satisfaction and contentedness and his living-with ‘nature’. This quality of contentedness in repetition is as essential for the build of all elements of the installation as it is in Zen brushwork;

‘True creation must arise from mu-shin, or the star of “no mind,” a state beyond thought, emotions, and expectations. Work that is produced through conscious effort is ultimately devoid of life.’ (Tanshu, Zen Brushwork. p. 10)

Qiu Zhijie, Writing the “Orchid Pavillion Preface” One Thousand Times (1990-5)

Tom Friedman, Unitiled. 1990

Writing in a circular motion to graduate to an eventual empty circle by way of the artist writing his own name until the ink of the pen runs out.

My first thought was that the writing of ones own name is ego-centric, but that is exactly the point of the process and the message - the repeated gesture that, like meditation, appears to gradually dissolve “I”, or ego. The artist reduces himself into empty space as the trace of the ink vanishes.

Migone recognizes this dissolution of Tom Friedman but it is with regards to the circular form of the piece and the ‘recording’ of the artists name in ink as it resembles the grooves of a record. Complimenting his patience as ‘meticulous perseverance’ it seems to miss the point by concluding, ‘by way of its very inscription, the signatory paradoxically achieves immortality’. I do not see this death, unless it is the death into rebirth.

A very important work going forward as it uses every day-materials to articulate time, space and non self.

Qiu Zhijie, Writing the “Orchid Pavillion Preface” One Thousand Times (1990-5)

Seon Ghi Bahk

An aggregate 201106, 2011

Stairs, 2008

Existence Circle, 2009

David Connearn, Untitled (part of a series of 5), ink on paper, 72 x 72 cm, 1985 - 1994

Tom Friedman, Unitiled. 1990

Writing in a circular motion to graduate to an eventual empty circle by way of the artist writing his own name until the ink of the pen runs out. 

My first thought was that the writing of ones own name is ego-centric, but that is exactly the point of the process and the message - the repeated gesture that, like meditation, appears to gradually dissolve “I”, or ego. The artist reduces himself into empty space as the trace of the ink vanishes. 

Migone recognizes this dissolution of Tom Friedman but it is with regards to the circular form of the piece and the ‘recording’ of the artists name in ink as it resembles the grooves of a record. Complimenting his patience as ‘meticulous perseverance’ it seems to miss the point by concluding, ‘by way of its very inscription, the signatory paradoxically achieves immortality’. I do not see this death, unless it is the death into rebirth. 

A very important work going forward as it uses every day-materials to articulate time, space and non self.