Ballet of the Woodpeckers by Rebecca Horn

Ballet of the Woodpeckers 1986

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Copyright: © DACS, 2014 | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate

Curator: Rebecca Horn's "Ballet of the Woodpeckers" at the Tate presents a fascinating interplay of mirrors, metal, and movement. Editor: The cool, repetitive geometry immediately strikes me. It feels like a dressing room, but also a psychological hall of mirrors. Curator: Precisely. The mirrors reflect and fragment the space, evoking themes of self-perception and identity. The "woodpeckers" are mechanized hammers that rhythmically strike the glass, creating a sense of unease. Editor: I'm thinking about how the metallic woodpeckers physically engage with the mirrors. The labor of the machine impacting the reflective surface, disrupting the idealized image. It's about force, and the potential for destruction. Curator: It also calls to mind the woodpecker’s symbolism: persistence, renewal, even a connection to ancient oracles who listened to the rhythms of nature. Editor: Interesting to consider that alongside the mechanics and manufactured materials, it is an odd coupling. Curator: Agreed, it creates a tension that lingers in your mind. Editor: Yes, the collision of industry and nature leaves you considering all of the possible meanings of the piece.

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tate about 1 month ago

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/horn-ballet-of-the-woodpeckers-t06551

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tate about 1 month ago

Many of Horn’s works reference or mimic animals. Here small hammers tap mirrors like birds startled by their own reflection. It was originally installed in a psychiatric hospital in Vienna. Long-term patients experienced it alongside external visitors. To recall the presence of the patients when the work was moved, Horn added two glass funnels filled with mercury. The liquid metal shivered in response to the vibrations of footsteps. Mercury is highly toxic and was later replaced by reflective foil for safety reasons. Gallery label, May 2019