%C2%A9 John Willenbecher
Labyrinth Box (2), 1970
John Willenbecherexpand_more
Wood, glassexpand_more
Gift of John Willenbecherexpand_more 93.55
Not on Viewexpand_more
“Labyrinth is a way of seeing it – seeing it through.”—John Willenbecher
John Willenbecher is attracted to labyrinths as a pattern and an idea. While they allude to traveling or journeys, they also have a strong formal quality. In Labyrinth Box, the complex pattern can be traced visually from top to center.
Willenbecher plays with spatial ambiguity by presenting the labyrinth path, horizontal by nature, vertically, and in front of a circle of 18 spheres that evoke the night sky. In spite of these and other disorienting visual devices, Willenbecher is not concerned with creating a sense of fear or confusion in his labyrinths. Instead, he explained, “I like the idea of being able to progress at a steady pace; after all the variations you come out at the end.”
Today, visitors daily walk and run the path of Willenbecher’s monumental Labyrinth, an installation in the museum’s Target Park.
Details
- Title
- Labyrinth Box (2)
- Artist Life
- born 1936
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 93.55
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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© John Willenbecher