ART CITIES:Ν.York-Robert Gober

Robert Gober rose to prominence in the mid-80s and was quickly acknowledged as one of the most significant artists of his generation. Early in his career, he made deceptively simple sculptures of everyday objects beginning with sinks and moving on to furniture. In the 90s, his practice evolved from single works to theatrical room-sized environments.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: MoMA Museum Archive

Chronicling a 40-year career, Robert Gober “The Heart Is Not a Metaphor” is the first large-scale survey of Robert Gober’s work to take place in the U.S.A., the exhibition features 130 works across several mediums, including sculptures, sculptural installations and a selection of drawings and prints. All of his work is never separate from a penetrating reading of the socio-political context of his time. His objects and installations are among the most psychologically charged artworks of the late 20th century, reflecting the artist’s sustained concerns with issues of social justice, freedom and tolerance, sexuality, religion, politics and other themes of everyday life. Gober’s work is an art of contradictions: intimate yet assertive, straightforward yet enigmatic. Taking imagery familiar to anyone:doors, sinks, legs, Gober dislocates, alters, and estranges what we think we know.

Info: MoMA, 11 West 53rd Street, N.York, Duration: 4/10/14-18/1/15, Days & Hours: Sat-Thu: 10:30-17:30, Fri: 10:30-20:00, www.moma.org