Candlestick c. 20th century

These Candlesticks, made by an anonymous artist, are here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The way these objects have been cast, gilded, and decorated gives the impression of a fluid, almost molten surface; the metal is treated with an incredible amount of care. The artist has considered every angle. Look at the leaf-like decorations at the base, the striations almost create movement, like water rippling on a pond. The texture of the metal invites a sensory experience and makes me want to reach out and touch them. These Candlesticks remind me a little of the work of Eva Hesse, she also was interested in the tactile nature of materials and the creative potential within a repeated form. While these works are very different, they both invite a sense of curiosity and playfulness, revealing the ambiguous nature of art making.