The retrospective of Danh Vo, “Take My Breath Away,” opened at the National Gallery of Denmark SMK on August 30. One of the most internationally acclaimed contemporary artist working today the exhibition follows his recent major show at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York last spring. Vo usually begins re-thinking his personal history and memories as the starting point for discussing universal topics such as globalization and desire.
The “Take My Breath Away” features more than 75 works, including a few totally new pieces created particularly for this show. Vo works with existing and discovered materials like traditional marble sculptures, personal letters and historical photographs, deconstructing and putting together theses objects to make something of new significance. His practice explores cultural and aesthetic aspects of the past, reflecting on issues of the time.
Photo by Heinz Peter Knes
Courtesy of the artist and National Gallery of Denmark
On view are full-scale replicas of the folds of the Statue of Liberty’s robes, a chandelier that has witnessed defining moments in history, and letters from a warring and ballet-loving Henry Kissinger. You can also find a selection of plaster casts of ancient and medieval sculptures from the Royal Cast Collection. The artist combines theses pieces with Akari paper lamps and herb beds grown in collaboration with the museum cafe, Kafeteria, which he took part in designing earlier this year.
Danh Vo
Roman marble wrestling children
Roman marble
Courtesy of the Pinault Collection, the
artist and Marian Goodman Gallery New York/London
“Take My Breath Away” is on view through December 2.
