I was told I might find some Brancusi pieces there, but instead found breasts and balls. And her mother, the giant spider. And la femme maison.
So although Franklin and Louise Bourgeois both have an affinity for old doors as frames for their "tableau's" -- they also seem to share an obsession with spooky shapes and body parts. For very different reasons - 'certes' - but they share them none-the-less (see pictures below)
And spiders too...
Now Franklin's work while more provocative does not imply as much; Louise Bourgeois' work has a reason behind everything. That doesn't make her art more valuable (the fact that it's exposed in Canada's national gallery, tate modern and guggenheim does, however). I don't believe the intention the artist had should have any effect on the price of a piece of art. It's not the point.
So Bourgeois's spider is named after her mother - because her mother and the spider were very, very patient (her father used to cheat on her mother, and the woman would endure it). Amzallag's spider on the other hand is just spooky.
If you believe that it's a commentary on modern times and their effect on men, children -- you're wrong. It's just for fun.
And who would want art that is so loaded with social meaning anyway?
Would it not be more fun to pay a little less for a piece of art - knowing that you're not buying into one cause or an other?
I don't know about you -- but most art collectors I know have enough stress during the day. They don't need to be reminded of the plight of women at the turn of the 20th century when they come home from a hard day's work (women or men. Women especially).
1 door, $10 000.00
But if you're in NY - I highly recommend this show at the Guggenheim. 12$ for students, 15$ for adults.
