Ron Mueck

I went to the Brooklyn Museum last weekend. The lines were long because there was an Annie Liebowitz exhibit also. Didn't see her photographs but hung out with some hyper-realist sculptures for a good amount of time.



Ron Mueck says of his works: “They aren’t living persons, although it’s nice to stand in front of them and be unsure whether they are or not. But ultimately, they’re fiberglass objects that you can pick up and carry. If they succeed as fun things to have in the room, I’m happy. At the same time, I wouldn’t be satisfied if they didn’t have some kind of presence that made you think they’re more than just objects.”

I saw a video of Ron Mueck's process. It made some good points about people's fascination with portraying realism in art from an art history perspective. Interesting to note for me that the sculptures didn't really seem real until Mueck popped in the eyes.

Ron Mueck has a background as a model maker and puppeteer. He was involved with Labrynth, the David Bowie movie in which Bowie wears skintight lycra throughout the movie. His pants show 'everything' and I couldn't believe the movie was geared toward kids when I saw it in law school. Anyway, off topic.

With Ron's background and the modern materials he uses, these sculptures never could have been produced in another epoch. If Michelangelo could see these, I imagine he'd either give up or try to apprentice with Mueck.

INT. PARLOR - NIGHT - FEB. 18 1512

It's the afterparty of the dinner celebrating Michelangelo's final dip into the fresco bucket for the sistine chapel. The last few notes are heard as MUSICIAN finishes song on clavichord. He holds the last note for an insufferable number of measures for dramatic effect. He abruptly releases the note, bringing his right arm up, pinky pointed toward Rome. Guests politely clap. Clapping ends rather abruptly as the guests are anticipating the unveiling of the huge amorphous object that is screen right of the clavichord. MUECK stands up from his seat and grabs the velvet covering.

MUECK
Thanks you for inviting me. If this
succeeds as a fun thing to have in
room or parlor like this, then I am
happy. My goal as artist is fulfilled.

Smattering of applause. MUECK starts pulling off the covering. A startled gasp ensues as huge fleshy legs are exposed. MUECK finishes pulling off the velvet covering. Stunned Silence. Four beats later.

MICHELANGELO
(Leaps up and points to the object; in a loud voice)
What the FUCK is THAT?!!

End Scene.

It's amazing how much time Mueck spends on them. I wonder what it would be like to play chess with someone so patient, someone who has spent time placing individual strands of hair and creating thousands of goosebumps around the ass crack of a 10 foot sculpture. Maddening, I imagine.



This one's a much smaller sculpture of a couple spooning. Here's another angle.



Amazing, huh? Mueck spends a lot of time sketching and making models coming up with poses for his sculptures. Not only are his details realistic but what his figures communicate through their body language is hyper-clear as well.



This kid was waiting for his mom to get tickets for entry into the museum.