Nietzsche’s Rock, by Justin Matherly (1972 New York); artwork for Skulptur Projekte Münster 2017

Material: Concrete, fibreglass, ambulatory equipment, wood, metal

Justin Matherly finds the visual prototypes for his sculptures in books and writings, especially in philosophical texts and the ancient classics, which he refers to both in form and content. In many cases, he even names them specifically in his titles. His porous and often fractured sculptural interpretations made of cement, plaster, and plastic are supported by medical walkers. His work is complemented by photographs that are closely linked to the objects.

Matherly’s sculpture on the grassy area along the promenade looks as if it had fallen from the sky. The surface of the material exhibits cracks and holes in many places. The walkers clearly protrude in some spots and in others completely vanish inside the grey material. As ready-mades or everyday objects, they assume the function of a pedestal and also become part of the sculpture. In the artist’s conception, these objects introduce a scale that is closely related to the human body. Some of the walkers used in this sculpture are no longer new and come from the wider Münster area. Despite its massive presence, the sculpture emanates a lightness, appearing to hover above the earth.

See more here: https://www.skulptur-projekte.de/#/En/Projects/2017/831/MATHERLY