Just went to the local Art’s Museum to have a good look at Taiwanese Ju Ming’s sculptures.
This one is quite thought provoking – it shows a couple within a cage.
I suppose those outside the cage may like to be married and bounded by the cage.
Though at the same time, some people inside would like to get out of it.
In any case, it is up to you to choose whether you want to be in the cage or not.
The door lock (not clearly shown in my picture) is inside the cage, so for those who want to go out, they can do so at their own discretion.
PS The figures are carved in foam.
Fascinating sculpture that could have many interpretations! I wonder if the person who made it had a bad marriage.
He has a series of sculptures about cages. I don’t know much about his personal life – he is now in his 70s. Regards, Michael
An interesting take on marriage. I sure many people feel this way, and yet they ignore the door:)
This subject is quite controversial. The sculptor has 3 more cages to show in the exhibition, I may post more.
I never would be inside the cage. What means to be inside the cage to the question (inside or outside the cage) do exists? I am not a simple mind. I am a full professor and physicist at the best university if Brazil; I like art and literature … I like other fields of knowledge. Howerver I can not capture the meaning of the desire of being inside a cage, even if you are with someone who you love (Husband and wife or something like that). What is the meaning: being inside the cage?
Hi Tania, the idea of marriage came from Michelle de Montaigne . Personally, I think the cage is the legal aspects. In Taiwan, where the sculptor is based, adultery is a crime. There are other legal aspects in marriage, say, how the estate is to be divided after one party dies.
Now I understand!! Thanks for the explanation! But now it is complicated: marriage … or not marriage…
. . . and marriages of different or same sex! Our society is getting more complicated!
strange one, eh? Do they consider marriage a prison sentence? Hmm-mmmm… Good thing the lock is on the inside.
Hi, please see my response to Tania. Regards, Michael
I’m interested that you find it inspirational – my immediate reaction to this image is very negative. Although having the lock on the inside does make a difference I suppose. But to me the implication is still that it’s not somewhere anyone would want to be.
This maybe how the sculptor feels. Many young people also feels this way too.
Yes, I guess your more positive response reflects better experiences.
Yes!
🙂
Very provocative piece of artwork. I love how many ideas it can elicit.
The sculptor’s theme on cages was quite controversial. He also have cages with prisoners in it in the exhibition.
I love Ju Ming’s work – especially his Tai Chi sculptures. I have never heard about the cage collection though.
I may show more, including one of his Tai Chi sculptures!
Love it! I recently left a 16 year relationship. It was a wonderful relationship but, unfortunately, didn’t last. I can totally relate to this sculpture. I wanted into defacto marriage so badly that I pushed my way into the cage. The cage of the relationship kept me safe and secure for years. Then, after a health scare, I saw that the cage as a restriction so I opened the door and stepped out.
Thank you for sharing this sculpture and your interpretation. It resonates with me
Glad that you share your experience. Have a great weekend!
Interesting sculpture Michael 🙂
Thanks Irene for the kind comment. Have a great weekend!
Great shot, good use of light available. What ISO did you shot with?
The display was in a relatively dark room. The ISO was 800. Regards, Michael
I thank you for posting this. I for one like to view other people’s art through my eyes and mind regardless of what the artist’s idea was. In this case I identified it with myself as I was within a marriage for a long long time and yes the lock was on the inside but until later in life I did not undo that lock. When I did it was out into freedom. This sculpture is excellent in depicting that type of story. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am glad that you find freedom. Regards, Michael
I think his idea of marriage is quietly self-explained here, don’t you think? 😉
Hi, think the cage represents the legal and behavioral restraint brought about by the marriage, otherwise it is silently explained. Regards, Michael
How true!
Thank you, Margaret!
Both sad and funny commentary on marriage as an institution.
Thanks for the insightful comment!
This is very funny MIchael. Another title for the work could be “Resilience”?
🙂
Be good
Brian
PS. There could also be another version of the work with golden bars! 🙂
(Endless variations! Thanks for the smile it brought to my face!)
Yes, for some, it will be gold bars. I have got other images of prisoners in black bars.
Interesting sculputre and interesting thoughts – when you’re in you want out and when your’re out you want in. Synthesis of the mindset of mankind?? I’m lucky though, I’m in but there’s no cage
Marriage is an institution – I think the minimal cage is the legal aspects which distinguish it from a relationship with no marriage 🙂
Indeed thought provoking. Life is about choices. Hopefully we would have made the right ones most of the time when we reflect in old age.
Need wisdom of choice and blessing from God !
So true 🙂
🙂