Joseph Beuys

As mentioned on mefi about a week back, the people who award the Turner prize conducted a survey of art critics, and compiled their list of the most influential works of art. I Like America and America Likes Me by Joseph Beuys came in at number six:

Of all of the works selected, this one I had never seen before, and visually, it kinda knocked me out. I know the Beuys work is more important in regards to it being an early performance piece, but you can't deny the composition & sculptural qualities it has. I mean, the whole thing just works - even the hardwood floors, the window and the pipe work together (as texture) with the piece.

[It reminds me of one of my favorites, Robert Morris, who worked with felt quite often, and I've always had an immediate positive reaction to works that utilize it. So I guess that's a fetish, right?]

All of the other pieces in the list have circulated so heavily, (which is why these lists are so tiresome to begin with) that I think they have kinda lost their impact. So I'm glad this one made it to the top ten.

You can read more about this piece (and about Beuys) here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.