Alicja Kwade Sculpts the Shape of Time in ‘Telos Tales’

Alicja Kwade‘s art has an elusive quality to it. This trait is central to her diverse body of work and reflects her keen interest in exploring the mysteries of our world, as well as the potential hidden within and beyond its established structures.

At the moment, Kwade is showcasing a fresh exhibition at Pace Gallery. This marks her initial solo display with this New York gallery since her association in 2023. The exhibit builds upon the artist’s enduring curiosity about materials, shapes, and perception, inviting viewers to ponder: What truly defines time? What specifically does it encompass, and what eludes its grasp?

In the core of “Telos Tales” reside three grand sculptures: stern, geometric steel structures that transform into fluid, tree-like branches made of bronze. Each sculpture stands independently yet is intricately connected, and they’re named after Aristotle’s ancient principles: Material Cause, Efficient Cause, and Formal Cause. The unmentioned one, the Final Cause, or “telos,” subtly dwells within the title of the exhibition.

In another piece titled “PhaseChase”, the concept of time’s abstract essence is explored. Suspended from the ceiling, a dual-faced clock nestled within a gleaming steel tube catches the eye, as light refractions create rippling and dancing patterns on its facade.

Instead of confining time, Kwade allows it to flow, expand, and bend. Her work, with a skillful, innovative touch, eludes straightforward responses, finding charm in the enigma and breaking it down completely.

The exhibition is now on view in New York through August 15.

Pace Gallery New York
540 W 25th St,
New York, NY 10001

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