We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday

2000

Artist

Ugo Rondinone

Switzerland

1964 –

Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
Alternate image of if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday by Ugo Rondinone
  • Details

    Date
    2000
    Media category
    Sculpture
    Materials used
    fibreglass, paint, clothing
    Edition
    unique
    Dimensions
    52.5 x 212.0 x 92.0 cm
    Credit
    Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by the John Kaldor Family Collection 2011
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    245.2011.a-b
    Copyright
    © Ugo Rondinone

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    Artist information
    Ugo Rondinone

    Works in the collection

    10

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  • About

    Spanning a broad array of material practices and media, Ugo Rondinone’s works are often unsettling and deal with themes of isolation and disenchantment. At once distinct and interrelated, the works installed in this room cross-pollinate, shaping a single narrative. The looped conversation of the wall and sound installation ‘what do you want?’ suggests a relationship permeated with miscommunication, doubt and loneliness. Coupled with this soundtrack, the reclining clown in ‘if there were anywhere but desert. wednesday’ appears bored and disaffected. In a similar vein of inversion and directionlessness, ‘all MOMENTS stop here and together we become every memory that has ever been.’ resembles a window, yet rather than opening onto a view, it reflects the interior space back onto itself in sombre black tones.

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 6 exhibitions

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 5 publications

Other works by Ugo Rondinone

See all 10 works