Voidscapes

A VOID OF INFINITE POSSIBILITY. ANISH KAPOOR AT LISSON GALLERY IN NEW YORK.

Anish Kapoor’s recent exhibition at Lisson Gallery’s New York venues, which opened on November 2nd and will continue through December 16th, presents a captivating exploration of metaphysical contrasts. This showcase marks the first appearance of Kapoor’s Vantablack paintings in New York City, introducing a unique visual experience to the audience.

The exhibition is centered around the Vantablack paintings, a series that has garnered international attention. These pieces are crafted with a nanomaterial known for absorbing 99.965% of visible light. This unique characteristic of Vantablack lends the paintings an otherworldly quality, as they seem to absorb all light and depth within their surfaces.

Kapoor’s work with Vantablack goes beyond mere visual spectacle. It delves into the profound interplay between light and darkness, presence and absence. The intense darkness of these paintings challenges the viewer’s perception, creating a sensation of looking into an unfathomable void.

Complementing the Vantablack series is a presentation of Kapoor’s new gouache drawings, where biological and architectural forms converge and dissolve into darkness. These works on paper channel emotional and transcendent qualities through their abstract, enigmatic forms.

Within the gallery, Kapoor’s pieces invite viewers into a realm of primordial dualities. They reflect our innate desire to find meaning in the unfathomable, seamlessly merging seemingly contradictory forces. This aspect of Kapoor’s work encourages viewers to contemplate the nature of existence and the universe.

Kapoor’s innovative use of Vantablack in his art instigates a novel interaction with the concept of the void. By pushing the frontiers of art, science, and imagination, these pieces prompt a reevaluation of our understanding of perception, evoking a mix of wonder and existential unease.

Transitioning from his previous work with materials like wax, steel, and stone, Kapoor now harnesses the unique properties of Vantablack. This shift in material choice represents a new phase in his exploration of perception and materiality, where the limits and mysteries of human sight are reimagined.

On display until December 16, 2023, at Lisson Gallery’s New York locations, Kapoor’s exhibition showcases his artistic evolution and innovative use of nanotechnology. His work, especially the Vantablack paintings, invites viewers to a profound engagement with the mysteries of the cosmos and the unknown.

WORDS KEVIN FORSTER
PHOTOS ABHISHEK SINGH

Please note the colors in the photos may not accurately represent the true colors of the artworks. The photos have been processed for this publication.