Sculptures by Jose Cobo that were part of an installation titled “Incarnation.”
I read the background notes prepared by the artist here. Still don’t get it.
Mystified, mesmerized and looking for a helping hand to explain…
Notes:
- Source: 3 Quarks Daily.
- Inspired by: I believe that the justification of art is the internal combustion it ignites in the hearts of men and not its shallow, externalized, public manifestations. The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity. ~ Glenn Gould, quoted in “Glenn Gould: Musical Individualist” (via Beth @ Alive on All Channels)
I read them too and was lost quite early on. to me, it looks like they are testing the boundaries, realizing limits, and trying to go beyond. both then, I’m not the artist and there is clearly. more thought put into it than that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly where I landed Beth. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read the ‘here’…. That’s a heck of a lot of words….. All I see is INCARNATION and children’s sculptures and they make – in all their undeniable beauty and perfection – my heart heavy and troubled.
I prefer to go with the Glenn Gould quote (that was a master post by Beth) and try to see the Wonder and Serenity in all things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. I agree that it was “ a heck of a lot of words”. Even that was intimidating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I feel with the political situation being what it is, in your country, the message is at its best very, very odd. But of course the artist has no fault in this; I mean WHO would have thought all of this even possible?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The exhibition with these sculptures I believe was in 2012 well before the sh$t storm/show we are in today politically.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and that’s what’s so sad about it – it was in 2012 and today you couldn’t even do such a thing w/o being totally insensitive and cruel even. What a pity, as the artist is really awesome (apart from writing in a way nobody understands)
LikeLiked by 1 person
TRUTH. All that he say here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t help you – I need more coffee first
LikeLiked by 1 person
I figured that you of all people could crystallize the meaning here. I can sense you noodling it now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My problem is that I’m conflating the imagery from the words with the words in my head about the flippin’ border wall…a child on one side, a parent on the other. I’m sorry if I’m being political – and I understand that others may not agree with me (so if anyone is reading this, no need to throw stones). I’m just so shaken by this current situation. I’m sure I’m not alone by noting that if the US hadn’t finally let my mom in, I wouldn’t be here…
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’m with you Mimi!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Sawsan! And after re-reading the artist’s intent (and still not getting it) – I end up where I began. The wall is existential, the children are real, they’re young enough so that their efforts appear parallel as opposed to joint. And here I go again – the wall, the wall, the wall – and the desperation of Sisyphus.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It is a wall that splits every decent human being’s heart in half!
I don’t get his explanation either. But the helplessness of the faceless sculptures took me to the wall.
LikeLiked by 4 people
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wall. Hmmmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
So dark Mimi. Let’s go with Dale’s interpretation. Kids are having fun playing. We can only hope.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The sculpture and exhibit was from 2012. HE wasn’t on top and corrupting then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s why I didn’t go *there*. And thank you. I’m probably way our in left field but its oh so much nicer there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh. I so like it there too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
OMG. So dark. Please, another two cups of coffee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m guzzling…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course you do 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think reading about it confused me more, quite frankly.
I wonder if seeing it “live” would give us more a sense of what he means.
To me, it feels like children at play, oblivious to the adults watching from a distance, free to be themselves. But what do I know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are going with this. All of the other interpretations, wise that they are, are just too dark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. I just can’t appreciate too dark when it comes to children.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I didn’t read his explanation! I hope he’s not a writer.
Putting the thought of the wall aside, one word comes to mind. “Crude”, this word has been on my mind for days!
Children in crude years, until they’re incarnated. Which is making me wish I stayed crude.
LikeLiked by 3 people
He’s not. The art, amazing. The description a sloppy mess.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Quite interesting … Sculptures by Jose Cobo that were part of an installation titled “Incarnation.”
LikeLike
You have created a great discussion, DK. Something you do exceptionally well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wise (all of you) leading the blind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I dunno… I’ll add myself to the blind on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this exhibit! Setting aside politics and obvious religious connotations, and adding the definition: “a living being embodying… a spirit…assumption of human form or nature.” the work makes sense to me…I see the awe of curiosity and discovery through the eyes of children.
Thank you for finding this lovely work. I especially love the ones on the wall…I feel like a young mom, hovering over my wee ones as they venture into their new “worlds’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carrie, yes! Love your interpretation.
LikeLike
Gave up. Just enjoyed looking at them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right there with you Don.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so live!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first impression without reading the artists words were how little consideration I gave my monitors (adults) when I was in my own environment (at play).
And I was completely oblivious to how much attention they were paying to me.
Since I was faced away, and heavily involved with what I was doing in the world, I had no idea the enormity of attention being paid to me.
Of course it was only after becoming a parent that this became obvious, and I didn’t have to wonder any more how it was that my parents seemed to know what I was doing before I was doing it.
Even though I was faced away, right?
That was my impression, and I don’t know if the artists words match up to this or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your perspective. I kept nodding Yes and I was panning down your thoughts.
LikeLike
I like the image, really nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is.
LikeLike
I’ve come to the conclusion that, sometimes, art is its own thing. I love these little bodies and heads — beautifully done! — but none of the children are interacting, and that scares me in this harsh detain-y and cold Facebook-y time. (Or, perhaps the problem is simply that I am not Spanish!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I missed that Carol. Interesting perspective (and a current social media addiction/concern). Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I started reading “here” but got tired. I agree with Carol’s comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same. Exactly same for.me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
?
-Alan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny how we need to understand so we can recognize genius!
The different levels of existence represented by images of children in different groups, created from the perspective of an adult, together with the merging of walls and floors… is out with my ken too. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Understanding. And the thirst for it. Reminds me of:
“In my small way, I preserved and cataloged, and dipped into the vast ocean of learning that awaited, knowing all the time that the life of one man was insufficient for even the smallest part of the wonders that lay within. It is cruel that we are granted the desire to know, but denied the time to do so properly. We all die frustrated; it is the greatest lesson we have to learn.”
– Iain Pears, An Instance of the Fingerpost (Berkley, March 1, 1999)
LikeLike