Mira Schendel exhibit

Fig 1. A room in the Tate (2013)

I recently visited Mira Schendel's exhibition at the Tate Modern.

I was not at all familiar with Schendel’s work prior to visiting her exhibition however I was impressed with the thoughts and emotions evoked by her work. Her series of work named ‘Sarrafos’ was predominantly caught my attention, shown here in Fig 2. I found it difficult to sit with these pieces because they seem to push the boundaries of the canvas from which they sit. The canvas does not exactly trap the battens but I get a strong sense of escaping. The battens appear uncomfortable within their material homes.Angular and cold. Maybe I am getting these thoughts from the work because on some level I am uncomfortable with boundaries I set myself. Am I feeling trapped within the boundaries? I do not know! I do know that working with the University framework is a challenge as there is a lot going on in my schedule and keeping the balance is difficult.

The fact they are thick and black add to the strength of the batten although they are not strong enough to emerge and separate completely from the canvas. I am having a lot of thoughts about boundaries within therapy and I feel this from Schendel’s work. The canvas usually acts as a boundary between the artwork, the viewer and the space however here Schendel conflicts with these ideas. The battens here remind me of the children I will work with once I begin my therapy work, as children who may test the boundaries but will (maybe!) keep one foot in the space.

Fig 2. Mira Schendel's Sarrafos (Battens) 1987 

Viewing this artwork heightens my anxieties of keeping the boundaries and providing the safe space for the client. Will I be able to keep the boundaries? Especially when working with children I sense this will a challenge for me.

Bibliography

Cumming, L (2013) 'Mira Schendel- Review' The Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/29/mira-schendel-tate-modern-review [Accessed 10 November 2013]

Images

Fig 1. Mira Schendel's room in the Tate Modern (2013) [image online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2013/sep/29/art-exhibition [Accessed 10 November 2013]

Fig 2. Mira Schendel's Sarrafos (1987), (2013) [image online] Available at: http://gwallter.com/art/angst-and-the-void-vienna-portraits-and-mira-schendel-2.html [Accessed 10 November 2013]