"Anxious Stability": Michel de Borin
Michel de Borin, a renowned contemporary artist, has often played with our perceptions of stability, gravity, and architectural norms. His installation, "Anxious Stability", is a poignant representation of this continuous exploration. First introduced to the world in 1997, the installation resurfaced in 2014, capturing the attention of the contemporary art scene.
At first glance, "Anxious Stability" might appear as a simple column, but its genius lies in its deceptive simplicity. The installation showcases a column, seemingly bearing the weight of the building, yet it is instead wedged between the ceiling and the floor by a hydraulic cylinder. This reversal of the traditional role of a column is where the magic and tension of the installation lies. Instead of the column supporting the building, the building appears to be pressing down on the column, creating an ambiance of tension, uncertainty, and – as the name suggests – anxiety.
One of the most captivating elements of "Anxious Stability" is how it challenges our conventional understanding of architecture. Columns are foundational, often symbolizing strength and stability. But in de Borin's world, this steadfastness is put to the test. The hydraulic cylinder's presence emphasizes a dynamic and precarious balance, making viewers question their assumptions about stability.
The world is evolving, and with it, the challenges we face grow in complexity. In a way, "Anxious Stability" symbolizes our current societal state – the balancing act between technology and nature, tradition and modernity. It's no wonder that a piece from 1997 resonates so profoundly today, as it touches on universal feelings of tension and balance that resonates with the way in which we interact with the weight of time.
KM: "Anxious Stability" subverts traditional architectural functions by transforming a supporting column into one that is compressed. How do you believe this inversion of roles speaks to contemporary societal relationships with the structures that support it?
MB: We often perceive structures—both physical and societal—as stable supports of our lives. However, this piece reflects the reality that these man-made supports are under pressure and can also be disrupted by human actions, perhaps nearing a point of collapse. It prompts viewers to consider the underlying tensions and instabilities that exist beneath the everyday structures we so often take for granted.
KM: The concept of balance is central to "Anxious Stability." How do you balance the tension between creating art that is visually provocative and art that provokes deeper reflection on stability in our lives?
MB: Anxious Stability immediately draws the eye with its physical tension, but then invites onlookers to ponder the precarious balances in their own lives.
KM: In "Anxious Stability," the hydraulic cylinder is a modern intervention in a classical architectural feature. What does this interplay between the old and the new tell us about your approach to technology and tradition in your art?
MB: This interplay suggests a dialogue between past and present, and hints at the resilience and adaptability of structures, both physical and societal, in the face of new pressures.
KM: The re-emergence of "Anxious Stability" in 2014 seems as timely as ever. In what ways do you think the piece’s message or impact has evolved from its original installation in 1997 to when it was showcased again?
MB: The sculpture's adaptability to different spaces and times reveals the persistent challenge of finding balance.
KM: Can you talk about How has this theme evolved in your other projects, such as "Hole," and what you aim to reveal or question about the objects and spaces around us?
MB: Playfulness and criticality intertwine in my work, serving as methods to subvert the expected functions of objects and spaces. In Hole, for instance, I took a space typically defined by its limits and turned it into a study of absences and presence. Through such pieces, my goal is to untangle preconceived notions about utility and inspire viewers to challenge and discover new interpretations within the familiar. I plan installations with the intent to disrupt the mundane, prompting a moment of reawakening for viewers. Shake observers out of passive consumption, turning the art experience into one of active discovery.
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KM: How important is the physical presence and movement of the viewer in the interpretation of your work?
MB: My works are conversations that occur in a physical context, where movement around and interaction with the piece completes the dialogue. The viewer's presence activates the space and allows the work to unfold its full narrative potential.
KM: Looking at your body of work, how do you see "Anxious Stability" in relation to your other projects? Is there a common thread that connects this piece to your wider artistic practice?
MB: It fits into a broader practice concerned with the interplay between order and chaos, functionality and obsolescence, stability and precariousness. Whether it’s a sculpture, an installation, or an intervention, the common thread is the exploration of thresholds—moments where form and function are poised to tip into a new state.
More from Michel de Borin
micheldebroin.org | @michel_de_ borin
