Ugo Rondinone is an innovative visual artist who creates artworks and installations with a surreal vibe. Born in Brunnen, Switzerland, Rondinone now lives and works in New York. His work has been shown in solo exhibitions around the world, from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Kunsthalle Wien in Austria. In ‘Vocabulary of Solitude’ at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Netherlands, the artist brings together sculptures, paintings and everyday objects.
The exhibition combines new and old works in a cohesive collection that reveals aspects of the human existence. Forty-five life-size and highly realistic clown sculptures that have never been seen before provide the focal point of the exhibition. Placed in a sitting position with closed eyes and an almost meditative facial expression, they are paired with simple yet powerful words like ‘breathe’, ‘feel’, or ‘remember’, illustrating the aspects of an individual’s life across a 24-hour period. The clowns are accompanied by various rainbow paintings, created by the artist and by children who have sent their works to adorn a large wall.
The vibrant colors placed in individual lines complement the various facets of human existence. Mundane objects bring a sense of familiarity yet they are subtly transformed with either brighter color palettes or a change in size and form. This is a magical space and the goal is not to think, but to react instinctively, to feel. “Good art revolutionizes your whole being. It is something that stops you, or slows you down”, Ugo Rondinone explains. This is the artist’s first solo exhibition in the Netherlands, providing the perfect opportunity for art lovers across neighboring European countries to hop on a short plane ride to enjoy a unique experience. ‘Vocabulary of Solitude’ lasts until 29 May 2016 and you can buy tickets here.
