Winking from the wall in shimmering aluminium, Ugo Rondinone’s SUNRISE. west. august (2004) is an enigmatic, mask-like apparition. The mischievous visage has holes for eyes, a triangular mouth and a tactile, textured silver surface. It stems from the artist’s SUNRISE. west series, a group of twelve mural sculptures which each represent a month of the calendar year. These characterful faces, which were sculpted in clay before being cast in metal, reflect Rondinone’s enduring fascination with the cyclical passage of time: a concept that anchors his dizzyingly diverse multimedia practice. The forms of many of the SUNRISE works, as well as the companion MOONRISE series, were inspired by the shamanic Yup’ik masks of southwestern Alaska. Expanding on their magical, ritualistic overtones, Rondinone went on to develop both series into monumental sculptures, which have been publicly exhibited worldwide.





Post Lot Text

This lot will be subject to VAT of 7,7 % on both the hammer price and buyer’s premium. Please see Conditions of Sale for further information.