Ahatfenster 2009

This window, by Sigmar Polke, is made from slices of agate; a hard, semi-transparent stone whose concentric bands invite a certain kind of looking. I love how Polke embraces the innate properties of his materials; he's like a conductor of matter. The colors here, pinks, greens, creams, and oranges, are saturated and luminous. Light pours through the translucent surfaces. Each slice is a world within itself, a miniature landscape. There's a visual buzz that comes from their juxtaposition, their formal arrangement. I find myself drifting from one stone to the next; each containing unique inclusions and tonal qualities. Polke's use of found materials reminds me of Kurt Schwitters, and his collages made from trash. Both artists reveled in the beauty of the everyday, and embraced chance as a creative tool. And like any great art, this window is less about answers, and more about the pleasure of looking.