Nairy Baghramian and Phyllida Barlow at the Serpentine Gallery

The sculptors Nairy Baghramian and Phyllida Barlow are shown together for the first time at the Serpentine, in an exhibition exploring two positions on sculpture in the 21st century. The exhibition will offer a new perspective on these two artists, who, though strikingly different in their approach, each examine questions related to the context in which their works are shown, while addressing the art-historical debate on the politics of form.

They are both known for their large-scale structural installations. They both seem to address major concerns such as how minimalism translates into actions and approaches. Their answers are different and their way to occupy and relate to a space are contrasting. From this contrast a dialogue arises. This conversation that happens in front of the viewer, is also questioning him. Nothing is to be taken for granted. Sculptures are moving objects and what they underline depends on the space they are brought into. To get into the debate, a visitor will first go through some rooms displaying solo presentations to understand where Baghramian and Barlow stand. The exhibition will then take him to a room where the 2 artists are confronting each other via their work.

Barlow uses a works location as a starting point for its dimensions and constructs some work in situ. Towering forms and unstable installations is her way to point out the transient nature of objects. According to Barlow, the physical presence of a sculpture can really be felt once the light has been turned off, when only its mental representation remains.

To Baghramian, the location where the artwork is born is less important than the place that it inhabits. She analyses the relationship between a sculpture and its setting by surrounding it with absurd constructions. Her sculptures are parodies of our modern working environment. In a world were production is key, Baghramian works are disturbing: they have no productive reason to be. They just stand in front of us.

This dialogue between 2 visionaries will leave you with more questions than answers. You will have to make an effort to interact with these 2 artists via their creations. It is a must seen exhibition for anyone who lives in London or will visit the city before 13th June 2010.