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December 11, 2007
"Untitled" by Henry, age 15 months, phone on cat-food cans
Obviously it's about modernity or, rather, post-modernity. The sedimentary layers of our civilization are laid bare as the artist assumes the role of cultural archaeologist. The cans contain cat food -- but what is cat food, really, but the mushed-up bodies of other animals, the ultimate symbol of man's barbarity? The pages of our history, as we know too well, are brimming with death and with gore, yet the cans themselves are brightly colored, reminding us of the lies we tell ourselves, the clever ways we paper over our inner angst. It is simultaneously subtle and blunt, complex and brutally simple. It is a kick in the teeth followed by a kiss on the cheek.
When asked what his creation meant, what purpose it served, what message he was delivering to our corrupt society, the artist merely turned and left the room, a toy car in one hand, a sippy cup in the other.
Posted by teb at December 11, 2007 10:16 AM