Urs Fischer and Jared Ginsburg are distortionists, enlarging, twisting and severing out of shape the human form. Although working in their own distinctive media their interests and modes have at times a interesting cross-over. Whimsically grotesque Fischer and Ginsburg both have been associated with neo-Dada.
Below the Knee and Big Foot are works that represent severed sections of an over-sized leg, and yet they contain ideas divergent in their morbidity. While in Fischer the idea of a crushing destruction of a Leviathan-like monster seem at the forefront of the conceit, Ginsburg’s Below the Knee conversely is a pathologically more disturbing work referencing murder tropes and their representation. It is there, perhaps, where the two artists themes diverge the most. Where Fischer’s themes seem mostly about the destructive forces of power, both physical and institutional, Ginsburg expresses more interest in personal psychology and art historical representations of the body.
Jared Ginsburg
Folded Woman 2013, Etching ink monoprint on Munken Pure, 32.5 × 45.5 cm
Urs Fischer
boy w/tongue 2014, Cast bronze, 91.4 x 48.3 x 43.2 cm
Jared Ginsburg
Below the knee 2013, Canvas, Batting, 130 × 45 × 22 cm
Urs Fischer
big foot 2014, Cast bronze, 154.9 x 157.5 x 238.8 cm
Jared Ginsburg
Legs 2013, Canvas, batting, 550 × 310 × 70 cm
Urs Fischer
last supper 2014, Cast bronze, 144.8 x 767.1 x 147.3 cm
Urs Fischer (born 1973) is a Swiss-born neo-Dada sculptor living in New York. He studied photography at the Schule für Gestaltung, Zurich.
Jared Ginsburg (born 1985, Cape Town, South Africa) graduated with a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Art in 2010, where he won the Michaelis prize as the top graduate. He currently lives and works in Cape Town.
