Roman Opalka (French/Polish, 1931–2011）
Opalka 1965 / 1-00: detail 2910060-2932295 , 1965
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:196 x 135 cm. (77.2 x 53.1 in.)
The online exhibition “Time” is from the collection of the Guggenheim Museum. The works in the “Time” show all focus on the relationship between time and life. Especially during this pandemic, people are all waiting for the “time” to solve problems. Such as finish the quarantine and back to home, recover from the virus. In Opalka 1965 / 1-∞: detail 2910060-2932295 by Roman Opalka (1931-2011), an acrylic painting on canvas. In 1965, the artist painted the number one with white paint at the top left hand corner. This work can be considered as a journey the work and Opalka went through together. The end of the work is the end of Opalka’ life. During this 46 years, Opalka used a numerical sequence to fill the canvas. He once said: “My procedure manifests nothing apart from the duration of a lifetime.” This work is a record of Opalka’s life. Time is fluid and people can not touch it. However, Opalka created a way let us to see the passing of times. Time rely on people to live. Without people, time means nothing. When the artist passed away, the painting of the work concludes. The collection shows the new understandings of how time structures our lives. Artists let people can see the time. Some artists keep on moment and some like Opalka let time leave its stamp.
Your description of Roman Opalka’s piece Opalka 1965 / 1-∞: detail 2910060-2932295 is successful in explaining its relation to the concept of time and how it fits in to the theme of the Guggenheim Circular’s “Time” exhibition. I’d like to hear more about your impression of the exhibit as a whole. What do you think of the layout and interface? Is there anything you’d like to change about how the works are presented? Since you mention time in terms of the pandemic in your discussion of the exhibition’s theme, maybe touch on how the piece you selected relates to time in terms of the pandemic as well.
ReplyDeleteRoman Opalka’s work exemplifies the monotony of everyday life, especially during these times. The “Time” collection of the Guggenheim circular, as a collection of works from the past, show us that time has always been viewed as tedious and dull. It seems hard to almost relate to this feeling before our current state. I wonder how time will go by after the pandemic and if life will seem to go faster than before. I wonder even then will we grow used to this speed and revert back to this idea of time and monotony? It’s all very fascinating to think about looking at this work.
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