Franz West's Retrospective at Tate Modern Explores His Playful Public Sculptures

Tate Modern in London is showcasing a retrospective of Franz West's art until 2 June 2019. West, who passed away in 2012, is known for his outdoor installations, including Sitzwurst (2000) in Vienna and Regent's Park, as well as The Ego and the Id (2009) in Central Park. Dorit (2002) is also located outside Tate Modern. Although influenced by Viennese Actionism, West took a different approach. Born in 1947 in Vienna during Allied occupation, he produced interactive pieces like Adaptives in the 1970s. He worked alongside Mike Kelley and Michelangelo Pistoletto. In 1997, he created Etude de couleur for Skulptur Projekte Münster. His sculptures, often hollow and crafted from bent metal, embody Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of 'grotesque realism.' Rosanna McLaughlin's article highlights West's humor and audience interaction.