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Garden of Eden, in the Old Testament book of Genesis, is the biblical earthly paradise created by God for his first human creations – Adam and Eve. The beauty and awe induced from this garden has been beyond our imagination. Today, an avant garde of the 21st century, Anish Kapoor introduces us to something as intriguing, that I would like to describe “an artistic paradise”- that blooms in the gardens of Houghton Hall.
Britain’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition welcomes us to 24 magnificent, astounding and trail blazing pieces by Anish Kapoor. While the world, is still being envisioned and revamping itself from the great lockdown due to the pandemic, the courtyards of Robert Walpole's house, once again open doors for the world to experience pure magic.
The artist unleashed his magic on liquid forms of graphite, marble and stainless steel that challenge the aura of classical architecture of the house and the idyllic beauty of the grounds, whilst being in continuous dialogue and engagement with Houghton’s history. His sculptures build upon formal precepts of minimalism to an intensely spiritual and psychological realm, drawing viewers to their rich colors, sensuously refined surfaces, and startling optical effects of depth and dimension.
Curated by Mario Codognato, the exhibition at Houghton features some of Kapoor’s landmark works in mirror and stone. This encompasses his iconic Sky Mirror (2018), a 5 meter diameter mirror of stainless steel that reflects and transforms the space around it, turning the world upside down. The concave mirror changes nuances reflecting various shades of the beautiful infinite sky. This more than life size installation draws the viewer in its awe with the construction and deconstruction of floating cotton in the spring sky.
Also displayed across the grounds and rich interiors are carved marble structures. These sharp installations juxtapose and create intriguing dialogues with the Palladian architecture. Extraordinary stone like mosaic shaded in rust, greys, yellows and browns almost creates an inclusive environment warmly welcoming Kapoor’s sculptures.
While the series upstairs in the state hall is less tedious. An extension to the dramatic Sky Mirror outdoor is this set of 8 circular mirrors. Mounted on brackets higher than one’s stature, the mirrors bear washes of psychedelic hues from bold magenta and blue to sublime gold. It adds a certain reference to the present Pop culture, with this splash of color, in the rather toned- down but royal 18th century built set up. These indoor mirrors replace the roman emperor busts, which are alternatively brought to earth for a while. Ironically, this arrangement of artworks reminds me of Julius Caesar’s “Veni, Vedi, Vici”. It is almost like Kapoor came, he saw and he conquered our hearts with his jaw dropping artworks.
Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton, said: “Anish Kapoor is a magician. His elegant reflective pieces throw back the world in mysterious ways.”
Kapoor’s show steps up to a monumental scale. This show indeed marks the grandeur and elegance of a 4 decade long journey of a celebrated artist. His ambitious sculptures have always successfully managed to add a new dimension towards one’s perception and push boundaries of art, scale and medium.
Presented by Houghton Hall; Supported by Dorotheum
On public view: July 12, 2020 to Nov 1, 2020
Image Courtesy the artist and Lisson Gallery © Anish Kapoor
Photo: Pete Huggins