TATE MODERN: ENERGY & PROCESS

The Arte Povera and Anti-Form is part of the Energy & Process exhibition at the Tate Modern gallery. The exhibition focuses on the Italian art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. During this time many sculptors explored the process of making and also the portrayal of natural energy in their work.

In the Arte Povera and Anti-Form room, curated by Mark Godfrey and Helen Sainsbury, the works of Giuseppe Penone, Robert Morris and Lynda Benglis are displayed in a very minimal yet effective way. The simplicity of the room emphasises the natural theme used in their work. Artists began to use a diverse range of materials from industrial to organic. The use of these materials allowed natural forces and energies to alter and manifest through gravity, electricity and magnetism.

Walking into this exhibition, I was certain the sculptures were purely made to look as they did rather than being the product of natural processes. Once I learnt that it was a mixture of the two, it opened my eyes to the effect science and nature had in the process of making the pieces of art. When viewing this exhibition, an open mind is essential as it may not be as straightforward as you would expect. It is not only about the final product but the process in which it is being made.

In relation to my work in fashion and textiles, this exhibition inspired me to not focus on the end product, whether it be a garment or print but on the development and how other useful resources, techniques and mediums could add to an effect and make my ideas more unique with a lot more to it than meets the eye.