Homage to the 21 Taras at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Sculpture dimensions 18ft wide x 18ft deep x 14ft high; suspended transparent veils constructed of organza and chiffon panels with silk-screens, oil paint and ultra-chrome ink jet photographs printed on fabrics; concentric steel rings 18ft and 6ft in diameter, stainless steel tension cables and turnbuckles, four 13ft steel posts attached to 4x4ft steel base platforms, 6000lbs rock weights, reclaimed plywood box and house paint.

Homage to the 21 Taras

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Concentric steel rings 18ft. and 6ft. in diameter, suspended transparent veils constructed of organza and chiffon panels with silk-screens of “Tara," drawing 1997, oil paint, ultra-chrome ink jet photographs printed on fabrics.

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Suspended transparent veils constructed of organza and chiffon panels with silk-screens of “Tara," drawing 1997, oil paint, ultra-chrome ink jet photographs printed on fabrics.

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Performance in installation.

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Interactive performance in installation.

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Performance in installation.

Homage to the 21 Taras 2006. Suspended transparent veils constructed of organza and chiffon panels with silk-screens of “Tara," drawing 1997, oil paint, ultra-chrome ink jet photographs printed on fabrics, concentric steel rings 18ft. and 6ft. in diameter, stainless steel tension cables and turnbuckles, four 13ft. steel posts attach to 4x4ft. steel bases, 6000lbs rock weights, plywood box, house paint, 18ft. wide x 18ft. deep x 14ft. high.

About the Work

"The valley spirit never dies; it is the woman, primal mother. Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth. It is like a veil barely seen. Use it; it will never fail." Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching, Six

Homage to the 21 Taras features a life size, interactive mandala, including a suspended 18-foot steel circle with hanging, transparent veils surrounding a 6-foot inner circle. The veils include ultra-chrome photographs printed on fabric, stitched to organza and chiffon panels with silk-screens of "Tara" (drawing 1997), oil paint, graphite and text. Viewers enter Homage by stepping into the sculpture's concentric circles of sacred space. A kinetic work, Homage moves with viewer interaction. The structure is suspended by steel tension cables, rigging and turnbuckles. This system allows the circles to bounce during interaction, performance and certain weather conditions in outdoor installations. The veils also flow as viewers walk into the sculpture or as wind blows through, creating a performative element.

Live Art includes original music with distinctive Tara mantra chants sung over saxophone and a remix of hip-hop beats, drum-n-bass and original melodies. A narrative dance immerses the viewer in a cathartic, hypnotic experience.

Concept, visual art, costumes, live art direction by Tracy Ginsberg.
Construction, rigging, technical operations by Theodore Lillie.
Music Direction and turntables by DJ BLove.
Choreography and dance by Oscar Trujillo.
Saxophone and music production by David Boyce.
Vocals by Audio Angel and Dance by Patricia West.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Sessions Wangechi Mutu, 2006.

  • Homage to the 21 Taras
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  • Homage to the 21 Tarasvideo
  • Homage to the 21 Taras
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  • Homage to the 21 Taras
  • Homage to the 21 Taras