By Samantha Jones
Tara Donovan (b. 1969) is a New York based artist. Her work is almost biomorphic; it is natural and fluid. Her untitled pieces made from Styrofoam cups draw attention to the porosity of plastic. Choice of material is about textures, light and form; Donovan can see more than a bad takeaway coffee in these cups. The cups bend fluidly as they are pressed upon one another, accentuating the curving cloud-like forms and distorting the light passing through the sculpture.
Ai Weiwei (b.1957), a contemporary artist based in Beijing, has been described as a rock star in China’s art scene. His work Forever Bicycles privileges form over function. Without even knowing the cultural significance of the piece, it’s evidently effective. “Forever” is the brand name of bicycle; a brand that the artist grew up which has been popular in China for more than four generations. This makes Forever Bicycles more than merely a play on form. Perhaps this is its key to success in the contemporary art world: form + cultural significance = success?