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| Label Ball Kimberlee Sue Lange Assemblage of of approx. 2,500 Adhesive Labels |
The established technique of assemblage while thoroughly known in the modern era is reinvented as it is taken to the level of the absurd and sublime. It is solid and weighty and yet composed entirely of just sticky pieces of paper. A contradiction to itself and to the concept of itself.
The work is also a performance piece, a never-ending compilation of label after label, piled up to create the preponderous sphere.
It not only draws on the kitchy-ness of the tourist traps that boast the largest ball of twine in the world, but also on the evocative works of Kruger and Holz whose works similarily demonstrate the "labels" that society builds up on us all. Yet in this instance, Lange carries that notion to the extremity of absurdity, using found labels, demonstrating the absurdity and arbitrary nature of all Labels. The ball is both about labels and the distractions they create, and the form that underlies those labels.
But what lies at the heart of this label ball? Is it only more labels? Is the artist suggesting that our existence is likewise empty, or is there something more at the center of this mystery, perhaps a paperclip or wad of cellophane tape? We may simply never know.
Seriously, all of this is of course in jest, so please no e-mails on this subject.
The label ball was actually started as a silly response to the enormous amount of labels that the center uses and replaces everyday.
Currently the label ball is in London with Kimberlee who is studying abroad.