Normally, Frieze Sculpture Trail takes place in Regent's Park every July through October and brings many to the park to enjoy visiting the free artwork. However, we are living in a strange world at the moment, so Frieze Sculpture has recently returned to Regent's Park but for a very short time of a few days (instead of weeks) in early October. This was my third visit to Frieze Sculpture, and it was a quick visit after work. There are a few less sculptures than the usual amount, but I was happy to see the sculpture trail return for 2020.
I am especially happy that it has returned for this year, especially as events like this support artists and art, and I firmly believe that art increases well-being, community, and mental health. For those who cannot see the sculptures in person, I have included some photographs.
"L'Âge d'Or" by Gavin Turk
The artwork consists of an open door and door frame, encouraging the viewer to step through. The piece could depict a sense of opening and closing, security or vulnerability, or a step into new possibilities/the unknown. An open door has many meanings. The artist has used this simple piece of architecture and placed it independent of walls for visitors to contemplate and enjoy.
"Sandwich, 2011-2020" by Sarah Lucas
This concrete sculpture depicts a very large sandwich, two pieces of bread on the ground. The sandwich is a common food item, and shown in its large scale and in an unexpected setting, adds an element of comedy and absurdness.
"Torso" by Eric Fischl
Upon the pedestal is a section of a torso cast in bronze. The female torso is missing the limbs and head, but it depicts a sense of motion and a pose from a fleeting moment of activity.
"Aurelius" by Rebecca Warren
The tall mostly-white sculpture is constructed out of bronze and hand-painted. The sculpture is a tribute to previous sculptors and artists, and the sculptor of this work continues to learn new techniques and to be inspired.
"Ad Keywords" by Fabio Lattanzi Antinori
This electronic sculpture uses Google AdWords and search engines to come up with a list of messages and a cost. The words are relevant for Regent's Park and Frieze, and when I visited, the sign (sculpture) was displaying the names of various popular artists with a cost. The messages are cycled through.
"Lupine Tower" by Arne Quinze
Inspired by grafitti, the artist focused on gardening and items during the lockdown and became interested in the form or essence of items. The sculpture was made for the Frieze event, and it is the artist's take on the lupin plant. The artwork has been painted and has taken its form inspired by that plant.
"Circle for Sally" by Richard Long
Granite and marble stones form this sculpture, which is a large circle of the stones that makes a pattern using the different types of stone. The artwork is named after the artist's grandmother in Spain. The artists is known for his artwork using natural elements, which he rearranges.
"Torre di Saba" by Gianpietro Carlesso
This sculpture is made from cedar and depicts the biblical story of Queen Saba and King Salomon, using deconstruction or subtraction. It was carved by hand.
"The Plait" by Kalliope Lemos
This sculpture, made of steel, depicts what looks like a braid of hair. In this work, the artist signifies the removal of a plait of hair or the cutting of hair, as a mark of inner change. For women, hair is important, and the cutting of hair is a ritual of change; the sculpture can also be a symbol of strong women. Post-poned earlier in the year, the sculpture was completed for Frieze.
"Five Conversations" by Lubiana Hamid
The most colourful artwork at Frieze this year is this set of wooden doors with stylish women painted on each one. The women appear to be in conversation with each other and are placed in their conversation groups. When visitors walk around the doors, they are met with different choices of viewing and placed into a dimensional perspective with the artwork. The artist won the Turner Prize in 2019, and this particular artwork was commissioned in New York City, and this has now been shown in Britain for the first time. There are so many perspectives to enjoy this work from.
"Untitled 1, Bronze Bodybuilders" by David Altmejd
This human classical figure has been cast in bronze and painted white. It appears that the artist is currently working on creating the piece with fingers rubbed across the work so that it appears like tangible clay. The plinth has also been 'worked' with cuts through it.
"Humans-Animals-Monsters" by Patrick Goddard
A group of what appears to be rocks has been strewn across a section of Regent's Park. Upon closer inspection, these are not rocks. They are heads of different animals cast in lead reclaimed from London housing: monkeys, dogs, sharks, dolphins, roosters, birds, lizards. With mirrors on the under-edge of the heads, the viewer is drawn in. This symbolises how humans are linked to all of the other animals and how important nature and the environment and ecology is.
This wraps it up for Frieze Sculpture in Regent's Park for 2020. For previous years, see my posts below:
Frieze Sculpture 2019
Frieze Sculpture 2018
Frieze Art Fair 2017
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