Untitled (Concrete Landscapes) by Fischli/Weiss

2010

Fischli/Weiss

Facts

Material

Lying concrete reliefs

Size

Untitled (big concrete landscape): 250 x 400 x 22 cm
Untitled (small concrete landscape): 100 x 200 x 18 cm

Description

The Concrete Landscapes were created by Fischli/Weiss especially for Swiss Re.

Location
Zurich, Rüschlikon
Actually, what we're doing is deliberately manipulating, deliberately creating a completely artificial rendition of chance.
Fischli /Weiss

The Concrete Landscapes by Fischli/Weiss consist of concrete poured into a rectangular mould. This is a small group of works that has emerged as part of ongoing investigations, begun in the 1980s, of sculptural landscapes for inside and outside spaces. Some of the Concrete Landscapes belong to the permanent collections of renowned international museums. The artists created two specifically for the 10-year anniversary of the Centre for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon in 2010. The use of the word "concrete" in the title refers to the material of the works as well as the solidity of their physical presence.

The artists created two specifically for the 10-year anniversary of the Centre for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon in 2010.
The Concrete Landscapes by Fischli/Weiss consist of concrete poured into a rectangular mould.

Often on display in public spaces where they are exposed to wind and weather, the sculptures can be read not only as representations of landscape but also as living organisms that are subjected to constant change under the influence of moss, rain and wind. Significantly, these landscapes are not wall-mounted scenes presented to viewers at eye level, but are instead placed on a horizontal support some 6 inches high so that they appear to be floating above the ground.

Consequently, viewers are compelled to look down at their feet, as it were - which is not a very heroic stance in viewing such a venerable art historical genre! We are much more accustomed to contemplative and indeed meditative landscapes in the style of, say, Caspar David Friedrich, William Turner and Claude Monet.

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