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(Left) Dan Flavin (1969-1970) ‘monument’
for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent tubes and metal] (Right) Dan Flavin (1966-1969) ‘monument’ for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent
tubes and metal]
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Famous for fluorescent light pieces, Dan Flavin (1933-1996) was
a key player in the narrative of Minimalism. Featured in the two rooms devoted
to Flavin are some examples from the series of Monuments dedicated to the
Russian Constructivist artist Vladimir Tatlin.
This series began in 1964 and culminated in 1990, throughout
each piece lays a bare clinical edge to the subtle surface of the glowing white
fluorescent tubes. Taken from reality and the readymade and into the realm of
the transcendental, the light at the end of the tunnel, at the end of belief
within the two rooms exists a fleeting thoughts and a potent comment on
content.
There is an inherent reticence to suggest process, the
reliance of the piece on electricity and energy could be reflective of an inner
core of power that is supported by a force we are unable to control. We become
conscious of this power, but we also become desensitised to it – we allow it to
drift with the rays of light.
A sense of displacement and the sublime seem to collaborate
to a self-generated setting creating a moment in time. It is a valid question
if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there, does it still produce a sound?
In this case can we extrapolate this to say; is Flavin’s work still art if there
is no eye to see the light?
I’ve seen Flavin’s work in books – nothing can replace the
act of being in the presence of the works, they seem to live and breathe like
us – move, inhale, exhale and listen – they follow us, and we follow them. We
speak - they stand, we comment- they transcend words, we close our eyes – the work
ends its realms in reality and enters into our ephemeral temporal memory.
Arranged around the white walled rooms on Level 4 of the
Tate Modern, a living narrative is created, a performance of colour and light
is forced in our eye with a spectrum of energy. Flavin’s work has to be seen to
be believed – seen to be experienced.
ARTIST ROOMS: Dan Flavin – Tate Modern, is on between the 1st
April until the 27th April, 2014.
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| Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Detail of: Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Light reflected onto white wall space opposite; Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Detail of: Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Detail of: Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Detail of: Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Dan Flavin ( 1987) untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1-5 [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Dan Flavin (1966-69) 'monument' for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
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| Dan Flavin (1964) 'monument' for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent tubes and metal] |
Installation view
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Dan Flavin (1966-1969) ‘monument’
for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent tubes and metal]
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Dan Flavin (1969-70) 'monument' for V.Tatlin [Fluorescent tubes and metal]
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