Bruce Nauman

Bruce Nauman is a contemporary American artist. His practice spans a broad range of media including sculpture, photography, neon, video, drawing,printmaking, and performance. Much of his work is characterized by an interest in language, often manifesting itself in a playful, mischievous manner. For example, the neon Run From Fear- Fun From Rear, or the photograph Bound To Fail, which literalizes the title phrase and shows the artist's arms tied behind his back. There are however, very serious concerns at the heart of Nauman's practice. He seems to be fascinated by the nature of communication and language's inherent problems, as well as the role of the artist as supposed communicator and manipulator of visual symbols.


Experimenting with the neon colours of the highlighter fluid reminded me of a piece of work of Nauman's I had seen a while ago. The way the neon colours work together produces this visually pleasing image. Not only this, I feel the fact that you can see the wires and connections adds a quirkiness that wouldn't exist otherwise. It reminds you that the installation has been made, whereas if the wires were hidden you forget the effort and technique that went into the piece and I feel it devalues it slightly. The surrounding location has an impact on the final look of the piece. Reflective materials such as a marble floor mirror the installation which add a greater impact to the piece.