Platon's Mirror, 2009
ArtistMischa Kuball,
Düsseldorf
*1959
MediumVideo Installation; 1 projector, 1 video, 1 Autopolsystem, 1 silver foil
Status
not on displayAccessionAcquisition 2017
Inventory numberZM2017.14
Contact
sammlung@kunstpalast.de
About the workAt first glance, the mirrored surface resembles glass, but on closer inspection, it turns out to be reflective silver foil. It refracts the projector’s light like a prism, directing beams of various colours into the room. As the title suggests, the Düsseldorf-based artist Mischa Kuball draws on Plato’s ‘Allegory of the Cave’ for this work. In it, the ancient philosopher describes a cave in which people can only look at a rock wall in front of them. They see shadows upon it, but not the objects that cast them. Plato illustrates that man can only reach the foundation of truth through enlightenment. Viewers of Kuball’s work are faced with a choice: whether to turn toward the image on the foil or the distorted projection within the room.