Bird Mission 1998

Lubo Kristek made this artwork called Bird Mission, though I don’t know exactly when. The piece seems to me about an exploration into texture, using a limited palette to bring out a feeling of history. Looking closely, you can see the roughness of the stone walls, a material that has seen so much, contrasted with the smooth, carved surfaces of the wooden bird sculpture. The bird itself, this creature of flight, is grounded, almost entombed, in this dark, cavernous space. I am drawn to the texture of the bird's eye, with its spiral form giving a strong sense of depth and movement. The use of shadow and light within the spiral really pulls you in and makes you feel like you are looking at something alive, looking back at you. It reminds me of the work of Antoni Tàpies, who used rough textures and earthy tones to create a sense of the ancient. Art becomes a dialogue, each artist responding to those who came before.