Twelve Soups 2003

Charles Long created "Twelve Soups" using commonplace materials to evoke thought. The sculpture’s form resembles a rudimentary structure, constructed from wire and plaster. There’s a sense of fragility and rawness to it, and it feels as though the artist embraced the inherent qualities of the materials, using them to their full potential. The grid-like framework speaks to the concept of modularity, an idea deeply embedded in industrial design. With the repetitive labor of wire construction, Long seems to reflect the monotony of modern life, and the potential for art to act as scaffolding, supporting new perspectives and ideas. The choice of materials, their manipulation, and the way they are composed prompt us to think about the intersections between art, industrial design, and the human experience. "Twelve Soups" challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft, and invites us to appreciate the beauty inherent in the process of making.