Western Mandala 1980

Robert Filliou assembled this installation, Western Mandala, sometime in the late 20th century, using found objects and electric wire. I'm imagining him in his studio, gathering these materials and considering the relationships between them, maybe even humming to himself! Each element seems carefully chosen and placed: the pale brick on the floor, the small box with 'nuit' scrawled on it. There's a sense of humor here, and a kind of playful absurdity. It reminds me a bit of Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau, but with a zen-like simplicity. It's like Filliou is saying that anything can be art, and that art can be made from the simplest of materials. These kinds of artists are always pushing the boundaries of what art can be, and inspiring others to see the world in new ways. Ultimately, Western Mandala feels like an invitation to embrace the unexpected.