Can You Make Me An Elephant?

To most people, balloons are simply associated with children, décor and celebratory events. Their role is usually meek − look cute and embellish. But to the internationally-acclaimed Swiss performance artist Victorine Müller, they hold a much greater meaning and usefulness. The inflatable aspect of balloons is an essential part of her work. For over fourteen years now, she has been combining the disciplines of painting and sculpture, with sound art and performance. 

When I stumbled upon her work earlier this week, I was absolutely blown away by the seemingly weightless PVC structures (this is how Müller characterizes them) of transparent forms, which are usually animals. What really astounded me was that she places herself inside the air-filled animals, emitting a tangible aura− “breathing animistic energy into the beast she inhabits” (design boom).

Performative sculpture is Müller’s favourite medium, often dealing with notions of spiritual and emotional dynamism. It certainly provides audiences with an immersive experience. This is what she had to say about her work:

'I’m interested in creating moments of sensitivity, moments when our defenses are down and we are open to new things. moments of powerful concentration. ... I create zones, put forward pictures, show processes that touch the viewer, that invoke associations on various levels, transport people into a different state, so that things hidden may become visible, accessible, opening up possibilities – to demonstrate something that is not said and cannot be said, but that is'.

This is my favourite work of hers, as it relates closely to my own artistic practice. This performative sculpture, titled ‘timeline,’ (from 2005) begins with the monolithic elephant in an upright position, with Müller situated calmly cross-legged within. Lit by natural and powered light, she gives a sense of a living spirit and awareness to the animal. Later on, audiences are exposed to the work in an entirely opposing state; she lays the gentle beast on its side, and evokes it sleeping or perishing− ‘an elephant in a quiet, dark space, motionless, awe inspiring yet also arousing our sympathy.’

 

Check out some of the stunning art, and if you’re in Bern, Switzerland, be sure to go see her show ‘Wild at Heart,’ which opened on November 2^nd at the Zone Contemporaine Oliver Fahrni.

I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking about when she’s inside her sculptures! What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

- Katerina Pravdivaia 

Sources: 

"Victorine Mueller." infecting the city. N.p.. Web. 8 Nov 2012. <http://www.infectingthecity.com/2012/artists/victorine-muller>.

. N.p.. Web. 8 Nov 2012. <http://www.infectingthecity.com/2012/artists/victorine-muller>.

Laura, DB. "art." designboom. N.p., 25 2012. Web. 8 Nov 2012. <http://www.designboom.com/art/performance-art-meets-inflated-sculptures-by-victorine-muller/>.