In the realm of contemporary art, few names evoke as much intrigue and fascination as Anish Kapoor. Renowned for his ability to manipulate space, form, and texture, Kapoor’s latest exhibition at the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen is nothing short of mesmerizing. Titled “Unseen”, this exhibition plunges visitors into a world where the boundaries between reality and illusion fade, inviting them to explore the depths of human experience through Kapoor’s distinctive lens.
From the moment one sets foot into the exhibition hall, they are enveloped in an atmosphere of wonder and curiosity. Kapoor’s mastery of materials is on full display, with monumental sculptures and installations that defy their visual, spatial, and auditory perception. Each piece is integrated seamlessly into the museum space, altering the usual routes through the building and inviting viewers to engage with art in a deeply immersive way.
Director Marie Nipper:
‘In some places, we have had to rebuild ARKEN, even taking up floors to make room for the vast works. Audiences have a real treat in store: they will never have seen this exhibition anywhere else in the world — and the museum doesn’t look like its usual self either.’
One of the standout works in the exhibition is “Descension” (2015), an 8 meter diameter swirling vortex of dark water that seems to vanish into an abyss. As viewers peer into its depths, they are drawn into a hypnotic trance, captivated by the ever-shifting patterns and deep gurgling sounds. Kapoor’s use of water and sound as media creates an unsettling feeling of awe and disorientation, reminding us of life’s unpredictable and dynamic nature.
Another highlight of the exhibition is “Memory” (2008). This 24-ton rust-colored steel leviathan challenges spatial perception as its curved surfaces press against the gallery walls, creating both an illusion of endlessness and a sense of claustrophobia. Viewers navigating around the sizable egg-shaped sculpture encounter new perspectives, disorienting angles, and cavernous interiors, which evocate a profound contemplation on forgotten experiences and a visceral exploration of the unknown.
But perhaps the most striking aspect of Kapoor’s exhibition is its ability to engage viewers physically and emotionally. By transcending traditional boundaries and uniting opposing concepts such as presence and absence, weightlessness and mass, and the visible and the invisible, Kapoor’s work encourages deep introspection and self-reflection. This duality prompts viewers to explore their perceptions and emotional responses, delving into themes of existence, reality, and the unseen facets of life.
Curator Sarah Fredholm:
‘With Anish Kapoor’s works, it is not about a change of attitudes or a critical awakening, but about a space of opportunity that paves the way for the unknown, allowing us to be moved and changed a little.’
“Unseen” is more than just an exhibition; it is a journey into the heart of creativity and imagination. Through his innovative use of materials and keen understanding of space, Anish Kapoor reminds us of the power of art to elevate the soul and expand the mind. As visitors emerge from the labyrinthine halls of the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art, they carry with them a renewed sense of shared humanity and a collective quest for meaning and beauty.
“Anish Kapoor — Unseen” runs until October 20, 2024, at the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen, and marks Kapoor’s first major solo exhibition in Scandinavia.
Memory, Anish Kapoor, 2008. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
S-Curve, Anish Kapoor, 2006. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
Random Triangle Mirror, Anish Kapoor, 2017. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
At the Edge of the World II, Anish Kapoor, 1998. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
Descent into Limbo, Anish Kapoor, 1992. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
Destierro, Anish Kapoor, 2017. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
Mipa Blue n°5 to Cobalt Blue and Black, Anish Kapoor, 2021. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by Stéphanie Courtines
Descension, Anish Kapoor, 2014. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by David Stjernholm
Grave, Anish Kapoor, 2019. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by David Stjernholm
My Red Homeland, Anish Kapoor, 2003. ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art © Photo by David Stjernholm
