Eva Hesse's Materials

SFMOMA conservator Michelle Barger discusses Hesse's work, "Aught," and considers the artist's use of latex. And in an archival interview, Hesse offers her perspective on impermanence in art. See more videos at www.sfmoma.org/video

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

I completed my diploma in materiality in December 2019. By March 2020 we all were in deep with Covid. Eva became a hero of mine in my study of materiality.
Thank you for this sharing story.

[@rosalowinger4823]

Great discussion by Michelle Barger. Great work all around.

[@anishwells8946]

So glad I discovered this video. Great for my art class! Thank you very much.

[@timeallows]

Thank you.

[@spencersheehan-kalina5990]

Aw

[@solidpillow]

cool

[@adamb.6969]

And why not? Because you say so?

[@animula6908]

This artist’s works are really boring and uninspired to me. She’s the one who comes to my mind when the public discuss modern art as overrated, ugly, and unfulfilling to engage with as art. Many of the artists often cited, I actually “get” and love, and Hesse never seems to be brought up, but she’s the one for me whose art allows me to engage in those conversations. I identify with those feelings every single time I’ve ever seen any of her work.
I’m not hating on her btw, just sharing my reactions to her creations. The fact her art represents something to me that allows me to identify with people who hold, overall, very different conceptions about art than I have makes me think “ah, well, maybe that is a work of art then!”

[@xPhantom82]

I just threw a spoon on the floor. Buy it, MOMA.

[@thedoctorzee]

If you did it on the 60's makes total sense

[@Quipu2000]

Impermanence should not be a consideration in making art.

[@brownie9981]

whats permanent is the loss of art and brain cells in these people and the artist lack of talent

[@BroccoliFangirl]

You Sir, are so utterly numbed down by being served meta "art" and "pretty art" that you don't even recognize the difference between inspiration/talent and skill. Everyone can learn how to paint pretty landscapes etc., is it just a learned skill, but this offers more value besides the bare looks. That is also considering that she did not at all expect to become famous for this or get money for it.

[@liverpoolvseverybody3257]

PhantomSeito best comment I’ve seen on this video. Thanks for saying this.

[@Liger._King]

I'm more attuned to pretty art. The latex thing doesn't ring a bell. Sorry.

[@animula6908]

I like a lot of “ugly art.” But this is not only ugly, but uninspired and simple. It’s also gimmicky, like novelty tunes from the 1950s mocking rock and roll music. Except I like some of those. Latex was trendy in that era, but many artists did creative things with it, whereas hesse just slathered it on plastic and peeled it off. Not original, not intriguing, not a lot of thought or effort involved, ugly, and also boring. Ugliness alone does not make art great. Sheesh, artists, did we really need to explain that to you???

[@brownie9981]

i cant believe people think this crap is art

[@anishwells8946]

Are you kidding me? Her work is just fantastic. Loved it for years and it becomes stronger the older I get.

[@animula6908]

Many times, when people despise Modern Art, I notice that something pretty obvious to me has gone right over their heads.
But in this case, I utterly agree with anyone who thinks it’s crap. I feel bad this poor woman exposed herself to toxic materials to create this junk. And not just this piece, either. Everything I’ve seen of her body of work just seemed like an ugly mess with no thought or vision behind it.