Jaume Plensa: Wilsis
Art Outdoors /Jaume Plensa: Wilsis
Wilsis appears to be deep in thought or dreaming. Her eyes are closed and she is inward-looking and self-contained, remote from the present moment and the beauty of the surrounding scenery. Although monumental in size at over 7 metres high, this sculpture depicts a normal girl, rather than immortalising a traditionally extraordinary or powerful person. Plensa chooses to celebrate the potential in all of us, and the beauty in the everyday. Wilsis belongs to a series of cast iron portrait heads that depict real girls: from many different places around the world, they suggest possibilities for unity across divides. In their youth they represent hopefulness for the future.
When seen from the front, Wilsis appears to be a realistic rendition of the head, yet from the side it is an extremely flattened relief. Viewing this sculpture at YSP represents a journey of discovery and the work is only revealed fully when you walk around the landscape to discover it more closely.
You might also like
- Art Outdoors
David Nash: 49 Square
49 Square was created by Nash in 2013 as a permanent work in the YSP landscape. It comprises 49 Himalayan birch trees, which, planted in seven rows of seven, will grow to form a white cube on the lake’s embankment. - Art Outdoors
Phyllida Barlow: untitled: squatboulder; untitled: triplestackboulders
At first look untitled: squatboulder and untitled: triplestackboulders appear to be large stones. However closer inspection reveals the human presence in their creation. Untitled: triplestackboulders is mounted on castors, which adds to the absurdity of its seemingly natural appearance. - Art Outdoors
David Nash: Black Mound
Black Mound was made for the YSP landscape by David Nash in 2013. Once in place, he charred the oak forms through a carefully controlled burning process that relates to his interest in the four elements. - Art Outdoors
Lucy + Jorge Orta: Diana
Woodland Spirit – Diana, formerly known as Ulbelka (a water goddess and the ancient name of the Huveaune, also a word meaning ‘destroyer’, referencing the river’s tempestuous character), was renamed by the artists in 2014 to reflect its current location at YSP.