Every July through October, several sculptures are placed inside Regent's Park in London so that the public can view them for free ahead of the Frieze Art Festival that takes place in October. This free event in Regent's Park during the summer months is called Frieze Sculpture, and the corner of Regent's Park closest to Great Portland Street becomes host to a collection of fascinating sculptures. I have seen the sculptures for the past three years now, and it's always a fun afternoon out combined with relaxing in the park. The sculptures always go on display at the beginning of July to beginning of October.
"Tudor Ball" by Lars Fisk
This orb has been decorated as a timber-framed Tudor-style house, complete with a thatched roof and a window with geraniums. The shape of the form constrasts to the stark lines of the timber-framed architecture style.
"My Melody" by Tom Sachs
This large-sized cartoon "My Melody" is made to represent the Japanese character from Sanrio (makers of 'Hello Kitty') as a large toy. It is made of bronze and painted white to appear like a large toy, crafted manually and with deliberate imperfections to look more realistic.
"Mnemonic Vehicle 2" by Vic Muniz
This sculpture depicts a 1973 model of a Jaguar E-type Matchbox toy car. I've taken a photograph of the inside of the car and the outside, complete with 'plastic' and simplified steering wheel, tires/tyres, and rubbed-off paint to mimic a much-loved toy car.
"Usagi Kannon II" by Leika Ikemura
This is a bronze sculpture with a blend between a rabbit and human figure (or a human with rabbit ears and paws). The face of the figure evokes a sense of sadness, and the interior of the sculpture through the figure's dress can be crawled into (for children at least) and acts as a temple.
"Superhero Cog Woman" by LR Vandy
This giant steel cog is a symbol representing women, who are the cogs and motion of society and the drivers of industry. The artist found that a cog is the best representation of a woman. The cog sculpture appears to have a feminine shape and form, and it represents a figure of a woman.
"Receiver" by Huma Bhabha
This figure has been constructed from carved cork and then cast with bronze. The medium and method of production is important to this piece. The artist appreciates the transformation of objects into abstract figures.
"Celloswarm" by Bill Woodrow
This sculpture shows a group of bees who have swarmed on a musical instrument, the cello. The bees appear to form a shape based on motion, transforming the original purpose of the cello and creating an object with a different purpose and sense of movement.
"The Hatchling" by Joanna Rajkowska
This giant egg is inspired by a blackbird's egg. The sculpture is also meant to emit the sounds of eggs hatching or cracking, though I don't think I heard anything on my visit so I am not sure if it is working.
"Cloud Study" by Charlie Godet Thomas
These two sculptures are weather vanes that twist and turn with the wind. On top of the weather vanes are designs of clouds with raindop symbols underneath. The clouds have writing on them, which can be glimpsed as they turn with the sky or trees behind them. "A little rain never hurt anybody" and "my luck's changed" are written on the clouds. The typography of the text also mimics the cloud shape.
"On Hold #9" by Peter Buggenhout
This sculpture appears to be trash or a mix of colourful plastic balloons merged together in between construction steel, coming out at different angles. This seems to take on its own shape and appears almost unstable.
"Autonomous Morris" by Zak Ové
This is a totem mask evoking ancient art from different cultures. The sculpture is created from the bonnets/hoods of vintage vehicles; I am guessing that they are from the Morris car, judging by the title, (or at least some of them are). The metal is different colours, adding to the sculpture.
"Strange Temporalities" by Ghazaleh Avarzamani
This sculpture is a segmented section of a child's slide. It encourages the viewer to think about playtime as a method of thinking with education.
"A Stranger Holding Two Wings" by Tai-Jung Um
The title of this sculpture pretty much gives it away. It is a simple sculpture with a steel black structure appearing like a simplified figure holding two pieces of silver metal.
"When I Sleep" by Tracey Emin
This large bronze structure shows a feminine figure curled up in a withdrawn position. The thick and dark metal is in contrast to the vulernability shown in the pose.
"Cord" by Jodie Carey
This metal pole has a rope-like structure that stands upright. The pieces petruding from the rope look like rust.
"ONE through ZERO" by Robert Indiana
The sculptor often creates large-scale numbers and letters, favoruing them as a representation and symbol that parallels to life and emotion. These large brown numbers (which start at one and end at zero) loop in a circle. It is meant to represent the circle of life, ending at death, which is the zero.
"Untitled" by Ma Desheng
The sculptures that Ma Desheng creates represent tradition Chinese sculpture and paintings. This series of stone sculptures is meant to represent the relationship between people and the government, which is a balancing act.
"Laura Asia's Dream" by Juame Plensa
This dream-like face has been created from bronze but appears as if it is carved out of stone with representation on the other side as if it has broken from stone. The artist creates these portrait sculptures. The sculpture itself looks as if it almost isn't there as it shifts depending on the angle viewed from and almost appears like a vision or dream.
"Composition" by Barry Flanagan
This sculpture shows three elephants holding up a dancing hare. The artist often creates artwork that defies gravity and shows a sense of balance, and the hare features often in the work.
"Bridges (We are melting)" by Ivan Argote
Bridges are used by the artist as a means to connect with others. These three bridges have words inscribed onto them and can be interacted with by the viewer.
"Alexander" by Bettina Pousttchi
The artist has used everyday street bollards to create a sculpture showing dimension and form.
"Solar Disc III" by Emily Young
The artist has created a circluar sculpture using onyx stone. The circle is a basic nature element and represents the moon, sun, and Earth. The patterns in the natural stone create interest.
"American Images" by Lucy Skaer
These three limestone boulders were mined from Litograph City in Iowa, USA. They show the city's short-lived success as a limestone quarry. This limestone was used to create printing plates to print litographs/maps.
This wraps it up for Frieze Sculpture in Regent's Park for 2019. For previous years, see my posts below:
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