81. Lee Bontecou, Untitled
This is not a painting, but a hanging sculpture that juts out 30” from the wall. There’s dark, warlike edge to this steampunk vortex—one of the concentric rings is an industrial saw blade—and there is a sense of falling or being sucked into the maw of some nameless, mechanized future. But it is too elegant and balanced, too curious, to be bereft of positive associations. Bontecou herself wrote of trying to glimpse “the fear, hope, ugliness, beauty and mystery that exist in us all.” There is such gentleness and power combined in that wish, and in this work.
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This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days.
Have a piece you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment—I can’t promise I’ll include it but I will give it a serious look.
Rainey, you are definitely stretching me for this one. I'm trying, here, believe me. Maybe appreciating "the dream" will draw me closer....But I think I need more than 100 words! I'm searching Bontecou....Thank you....