Jürgen Partenheimer, Axis Mundi (1997/2014), London, Sculpture in the City 2016
Two sculptures in London
London, Sculpture in the City 2016, 6th edition
Sculpture in the City is an annual sculpture park that uses the urban realm as a rotating gallery space [2] and places large works of art in prominent locations around the Square Mile. Jürgen Partenheimer's Axis Mundi/Weltachse was installed in Cullum Street in the Financial District of London, close to the Leadenhall Market. Axis Mundi is made of 13 precariously stacked bronze cubes, each painted a different shade of ultramarine blue.
Jürgen Partenheimer, Axis Mundi
The colour of the bronze cubes of Axis Mundi is predominantly ultramarine blue, divided into three translucent chromatic shades, which create an ascending, changing rhythm on all sides of the sculpture. The cubes are stacked one on top of the other to produce an open-ended vertical, whereby their mutual similarity emphasises a dynamic, upward thrusting pattern. The term “axis mundi - world axis” refers to a universal symbol, which finds its origin in anthropological and theological interpretations of the vertical bridging the gap between Heaven and Earth - representing a site of spiritual energy. The abstract minimalism of the sculpture as well as the pictorial quality of the ultramarine colouring emphasise its unique energy in any chosen dialogue with architecture and nature. Art, science and pure sensation unite in the abstraction of a seemingly endless vertical [2].
Suggestive images of Jürgen Partenheimer's Axis Mundi (1997/2014) in Cullum Street, London, Sculpture in the City 2016[1]
Sculpture in the City is a public event to look forward to every year from a group of international artists that enrich the City of London with surprising, diverse, and sometimes interesting works, in a project that combines creativity with a bit of a scavenger hunt that can be enjoyed by Londoners of all ages.
The 18 artists of Sculpture in the City 2016 are:
Anthony Caro
Benedetto Pietromarchi
Enrico David
Gavin Turk
Giuseppe Penone
Huma Bhabha
Jaume Plensa
Jürgen Partenheimer
Lizi Sánchez
Mat Collishaw
Michael Lyons
Recycle Group
Sarah Lucas
Shan Hur
Ugo Rondinone
William Kentridge & Gerhard Marx
Petroc Sesti
Jürgen Partenheimer at White Cube Bermondsey
2016 Jürgen Partenheimer in invited at White Cube Bermondsey to secure his first London show. Entitled Lichtschwarm this is a major event, showcasing works dating back to the mid 1970s, right up to the present.
The exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, unique ceramics and works on paper dating from 1975−2017.
Jürgen Partenheimer at White Cube Bermondsey
White Cube Bermondsey, 144-152 Bermondsey Street , London, SE1 3TQ | MAP
8 Apr 17 – 18 Jun 17, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sculpture in the City 2016 - Axis Mundi by Jürgen Partenheimer [3]
“Tactile perception brings us closer to the present.”
Giuseppe Penone
An interesting counterpoint to Partenheimer's Axis Mundi, is Giuseppe Penone's Idee di pietra – 1372 Kg di luce(Ideas of stone – 1372 Kg of light), situated on Undershaft, at the heart of the 'Eastern Cluster' of the City of London at the junction of St Mary Axe and Leadenhall Street.
Giuseppe Penone, Ideas of Stone – 1372 Kg of Light, Sculpture in the City, London, 2016
Giuseppe Penone,Idee di pietra – 1372 Kg di luce (Ideas of Stone – 1372 Kg of Light), bronze, river stones (Collection of the Artist), Sculpture in the City, London, 2016 [4]
Giuseppe Penone,Idee di pietra – 1372 Kg di luce
Over nine metres tall, Giuseppe Penone’s sculpture presents a bronze deciduous tree bearing the fruit of five river stones, nestled within its branches. The bronze encapsulates the memory of the tree, memorialising and extending its life as it appears to rise out of the ground, undeterred by the weight of the boulders.
According to the artist, “the tree represents the first principle and the most simple conception of vitality, nature and sculpture. It represents a live, fluid form.”[5]
Giuseppe Penone, Fui, Sarò, Non sono (I was, I will be, I am not)
Giuseppe Penone | Fui, Sarò, Non sono (I was, I will be, I am not), Marian Goodman
The London gallery presents works emblematic of Penone’s interest in the metaphysical relationship of his body to the living ecosystem.
Fui, Sarò, Non Sono (I was, I will be, I am not), Marian Goodman Gallery, London
8 September – 22 October, 2016
Opening reception: Thursday 8 September, 6-8 pm
