Page 36 - Studio International - September 1967

Barry Flanagan

invitation to show three pieces
question which 3?
as the sculptures are placed for
selection, a
solution as to how they may be shown emerges

the sculptures together articulate
and make actual claim
to the perceivable space,
as within the auspices
of the phenomena of
sculpture

i accept none of the
implications within the
thought and demonstrations
of what we already know
of 'environmental' work
or any architectural or
social theses.

there are three sculptures; referred to
as 4 casb 2 '67, ring) 1 '67, rope (gr 2sp 60) 6 '67.
they are seen in the same space;
it is fortuitous or interesting that they
negate their specific identities
and work together in such a way.

within the area of sculpture there are carried its own solutions,
we invest it with problems, ideas and excitements. one merely causes things
to reveal themselves to the sculptural awareness. it is the
awareness that develops not the agents of the sculptural phenomena.

the same two space rope sculpture in its bag takes another form;
as much a sculpture but changed, possibly better than anything i could
have made or 'invented'. the sculpture seems to have a life its own,
precocious, like the child we realise has a way its own—precocious.