Piplilotti Rist
Big skin SKI-NY at At Luhring Augustine
Audio video installation, projections in hanging amorphous-shaped frosted acrylic panels
As I stood there, surrounded by these floating art pieces, I was struck by the intricate dance of video projections across their surfaces. It's a mesmerizing mix of real and animated galaxies mingling with natural landscapes, creating a spectacle.
The most striking aspect for me was the sense of being underwater. Looking up at these "skins," I felt as if I was gazing at the surface of water, dotted with lotus leaves. The projection mapping, cleverly using translucent acrylic, conjured up the essence of a natural landscape in an entirely novel way. Coupled with the shifting audio and visual video, which changed over time, the experience was akin to witnessing a "Dynamic Landscape" - a landscape that evolves with seasons and weather.
The fluidity and movement in the visualization were astounding. It was like watching the earth breathe, and the flow of nature captured in motion. Each transition was smooth, seamless, and utterly captivating, leaving me eager to see what visual wonder would unfold next.
Welling Color Island West at Hauser & Wirth
video installation with projector skirt, projection on carpet, plants and furniture, silent unique.
Following this experience, I went to Hauser & Wirth to witness "Welling Color Island West," another of Rist's captivating installations. Here, the artist continues the exploration of vibrant colors and stable objects. Unlike the ethereal "skins" of "Big Skin," this installation brought an entirely different sensory experience.
The setting was a room with a projector skirt, creating a unique blend of light and shadow. The projections spilled not just on walls, but also on carpets, plants, and furniture. The silence of the room contrasted starkly with the vivid, almost pulsating colors of the projections, creating an island of colors that seemed to well up from the floor.
Final Thoughts
In both installations, Rist plays with our perceptions of space and nature. She uses art to mimic natural landscapes in a way that is both surreal and deeply familiar. Her use of vibrant colors and dynamic movements captures stories and emotions, allowing viewers to step into a world of her creation - a world that is at once a reflection of nature and a fantastical reimagining of it.