Robert Gober's sinks...

9:59 p.m.

The MoMA in New York is currently displaying "Robert Gober: The Heart Is Not a Metaphor", a rather brutal and extremely oppressive exhibition, although a bit shadowed by the main exhibition of the museum, Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs.

At first sight, Gober's (USA, 1954) sculptures seem ready-mades (daily objects elevated to the category of artistic objects), however they were made by the hand of the artist. For example, in the pieces that take part in the series Sinks, the likeness to the real object is such that they look like pottery. But, as we get closer, we find out the sculpture is made of wood, cast, wires and several layers of paint to achieve the finished brightness of a sink.

Untitled, by Robert Gober (1984)

Materials: cast, wood, aluminium, tempera, semi-opaque enamel, wire

Measures: 71.1 x 83.8 x 57.2 cm

MoMA - NY

View of the installation Sinks, by Robert Gober

MoMA - NY, 2014

The lack of pipework and faucets generate a dramatic appearance, like something is missing. The creation of the sinks in Gober's career is not casual: it coincides with the first years of the AIDS outbreak in USA. The sculptures make reference to the uselessness of cleaning.

Two Partially Buried Sinks, by Robert Gober (1986-87)

Materials: cast, wood, aluminium, tempera, semi-opaque enamel, wire

MoMA - NY

This profound and dramatic message wants us to connect to all those suffering the illness and who, around those days, knew that death was the only way out.