El Anatsui

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A luminous sculpture fashioned of a web of folded and crushed materials. The eroded patterns and distressed sections of Stressed World demonstrate Anatsui’s most recent production techniques and thematic concerns. While certain sections are densely populated, web-like areas appear to be worn thin by time and use. Sharply folded and crushed liquor bottle tops, in various configurations, firmly hold together the seemingly fragile material. Stressed World 2011 Aluminum, copper wire 186 x 258 in. Collection of the artist “When I first found the bag of bottle tops, I thought of the objects as links between Africa and Europe. European traders introduced the bottle tops, and alcohol was one of the commodities they brought with them to exchange for African goods. Eventually alcohol was used in the trans- Atlantic slave trade. Europeans made rum in the West Indies, took it to 34 EL ANATSUI EDUCATOR’S GUIDE
Liverpool, and then sent it back to Africa. For me, the bottle caps have a strong reference to the history of Africa.” – El Anatsui In 2002, Anatsui was walking in the area surrounding the university and stumbled across a stash of tops from schnapps, whiskey, wine, rum, gin, brandy, and vodka bottles produced in West Africa. He took the tops back to his studio and began to affix them together much as he had done with the milk lids. The result was astounding. The gold, red, black, and blue colors and images blurred into each other forming a tapestrylike metal wall sculpture. Though many have compared his works to West African cloth, when he found the tops, one of the artist’s first thoughts was of the history of migration and consumption. In this recent piece, Anatsui continues to use these materials in new and surprising ways. Looking and Interpreting • Notice the different areas of the sculpture. What makes them different? How are each of the areas created? • Look carefully of at the materials used in this sculpture. What brands can you make out? Connecting and Doing • Research the history of the brands of the bottle tops that Anatsui uses. Some of the companies have European origins with factories in Africa which produce their products for West African consumption. • People in West Africa give these brands of liquors used in the sculptures as gifts to hosts or for special occasions. Are there gifts that you give to people when you visit or to celebrate special occasions? What are the reasons why you might give a specific item? EXPLORING MATERIALS AND PROCESSES 35
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Page 6 and 7: ABOUT THIS GUIDE THIS EL ANATSUI ED
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Page 52: NEW YORK www.africanart.org

El Anatsui

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