Zen and the art of artmaking : Goldsworthy and Kapoor

Abstract

This article focuses on the work of two contemporary artists and the ways in which their work can be shown to relate to Zen Buddhist philosophies and aesthetics. It aims to examine the interpretation of Western art by using Eastern thinking and aesthetics as an interpretative strategy, and in particular, aims to examine the application of Zen philosophy and aesthetics to contemporary artists Andy Goldsworthy and Anish Kapoor. The artists have been selected for their varied backgrounds, unique styles, diverse forms of art and varying media, and because in spite of differences their work shows a noteworthy similarity in the manifestation of Zen aesthetic principles, whether intended or unintended.

Die artikel fokus op die werk van twee kontemporêre Britse kunstenaars en die wyse waarop hulle werk ooreenstem met die estetika en filosofie van Zen-Boeddhisme. Die artikel beoog om die invloed van Oosterse denkwyses, Zen-filosofie en estetika op Westerse kuns uit te wys, en aspekte daarvan te gebruik as strategie vir interpretasie veral soos gevind in die werk van die Britse kunstenaars Andy Goldsworthy en Anish Kapoor. Die kunstenaars is gekies weens hulle veelsydige agtergrond, unieke styl en groot variasie van media. Ten spyte van die verskil in hulle fisiese werk toon die werk steeds ’n opmerkbare ooreenstemming ten opsigte van die Zen-filosofie, het sy dit opsetlik of te nie.