Art That is Meant to be Used

Franz West challenged the tenets of traditional art. In a highly humorous manner, he questioned and expanded the concept of sculpture. West turned against a strict separation of art object and viewing, his “Adaptives” were conceived as “body-extending prostheses” while their exact function mostly remained an enigma. The artist invites viewers to use or wear his objects and adapt them to their bodies, they are thus items of practical use as well as sculptures. It is only in connection with an action that they become a work of art. The artist deliberately used “poor” materials that are commonly not associated with art, especially papier-mâché and plaster. Traces of his work process are always visible, nothing is slick and perfect, which gives these works a casual, experimental character.  Even when West worked with aluminum, which he used for outdoor sculptures, the welding seams of his objects are plainly visible and illustrate his distaste for sleek perfectionism. 

Franz West, Adaptives, 1981
© State of Lower Austria, Lower Austrian State Collections
Photo: Rita Newman