I never mix my peas and carrots, I don’t like fruit in my ice cream, and I generally feel the same way about mixing various forms of art. The reason I feel so strongly about this remains unclear. I never blame the artists who are decidedly talented—it’s not them … it’s me. For example, I don’t like musicals even though they combine two things I truly enjoy. I remember as a young man watching a Sunday afternoon drama on our black and white TV and getting sucked into the storyline. However, as soon as the actors broke into song my heart sank, and I felt compelled to change the channel. I am embarrassed to admit I had these same feelings about Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture-fountain entitled Father and Son. I walked by it countless times and would only give it a glance out of the corner of my eye—I was strangely repelled. It wasn’t until recently that I forced myself to overcome my discomfort and examine the work more closely.
The work contains two life-sized figures, one adult and one child with their arms stretched out toward each other.
Each sculpture has jets that thrust a ring of water that seems to imprison each figure. The height of each ring slowly changes: At some moments the water is low and you are able to see both figures clearly; sometimes both are covered up completely; and at moments one figure is enveloped while the other is in full view. The tension in the work is palatable as the water constantly changes the relationship between the subjects. Regardless, there is always an insurmountable divide that is never overcome. Being a parent and father of two sons, the piece hit me hard. No matter how good your relationship is with your children there are always moments when you can’t reach them, protect them … comfort them. The relative age of the child made it particularly powerful —it is around the time a child starts to realize that their parents are not omnipotent and start naturally identifying our cracks, flaws and failings. I am glad I pushed through my discomfort. On the other side was a profound, meaningful encounter. Who knows? Maybe someday I will go to a Broadway show!
Hi David….one of my favorite modern art museums is the CAM(designed by Gunnar Birkerts) in Houston….I used to live down the street and could walk there anytime….also the scuptural garden across the street was designed by Isamu Noguchi….Houston is one of my favorite art and architecture cities….anyway….the CAM did an installation of modern stage sets from various OPERAS that was super exciting back around 1990….not being a fan of OPERA….it gave me a new perspective and way of looking at the staging of shows that combine music and theater….much like yourself I enjoy the music when it is separated from the show, but I’m too impatient to sit or watch an entire production….Opera seems more serious than musical shows that you associate with Broadway however….Broadway can seem a little more trite as well…..but, it does give a more timely look at the culture and what is going on in the world….Stephen Soundheim for example is part Opera and Broadway…..A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is my favorite of his….this is the way I ramble David when I don’t have time to discuss your entire article….your articles keep me thinking and introduces new ideas that i much appreciate!!!!