Tuesday 30 September 2014

'Velimir Khlebnikov: Fates of Nations: The New Theory of War', RA.


German artist, Anselm Kiefer's monumental work, 'Velimir Khlebnikov: Fates of Nations: The New Theory of War', installed in the Annenberg Courtyard at the Royal Academy, Piccadilly.  His exhibition runs from 27 September until 14 December 2014.



The work, is one of several inspired by Kiefer's fascination with Russian Futurist, Velimir Khlebnikov (1885- 1922). After years of painstaking study, Khlebnikov concluded that major sea-battles only occurred once every 317 years, and multiples thereof. Anslem Kiefer celebrates this obscure, absurd, intellectual's, magnificent achievement, with a work comprised of two enormous glass vitrines measuring almost 17 meters in length.


This extraordinary work, is both reflective and transparent. Viewers see their own, 'selfies',  and others' reflections, and in this way are submerged in the  seascape.





This work also has an additional resonance for me; Anslem Kiefer's exhibition opening one month, less one day, after the death of my father Commander J.D.Graham R.N., submariner,(1924-2014).


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