Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bodyspace-motionthings by Robert Morris, 1971 and 2009, Tate Modern, London










American minimalist Robert Morris's Bodyspacemotionthings originally appeared at the Tate Modern in the 1970s, but was closed after only four days due to irrational exuberance by museum goers.

'Some of the 1,500 visitors became so intoxicated by [the] opportunities that they went around "jumping and screaming" to quote the exhibitions keeper, Mr Michael Compton. They went berserk on the giant see-saws, and they loosened the boards on other exhibits by trampling on them ... "It was just a case of exceptionally exuberant or energetic participation," Mr Compton said tolerantly'

Rebuilt to modern safety standards, it reappeared again in the Turbine Hall this past spring.

Robert Morris, now 78, said: 'It's an opportunity for people to involve themselves with the work, become aware of their own bodies, gravity, effort, fatigue, their bodies under different conditions'

Quote and photos, both modern and vintage, from the guardian.

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