Year: 2005
Medium: charcoal on paper in artist’s frame
Dimensions: 62.7 x 62.7 cm (24 5/8 x 24 5/8 in.)
Acquired from Phillips, 2022
Longo worked on a large-scale series called “OUTWARD AND VISIBLE SIGNS” around 2005-2006, depicting planets and astronomical bodies. As the title suggests, this compact work is one of the pieces in the series. It is a painting of Venus, the planet considered the most Earth-like with an atmospheric layer mainly composed of concentrated sulfuric acid but also generates clouds. Longo likely drew this work based on detailed astronomical observation data. The characteristic large whirlpool at the pole of Venus is depicted vividly. In addition, the eclipse blends into the blackened background of cosmic space, but with a closer look at the work, half the Venus is carefully drawn with slightly different brush pressure and density. Although the impact of the scenes depicted in Longo's charcoal works often catches viewers’ eyes, only the leading artist could express exceptional delicate drawing techniques like those in this work. Longo's famous early sculpture “DEATH STAR” imitating an astronomical body, featured a sphere fixed with 18,000 bullets. However, beyond this, Longo's works which are depicted as if they were cut out of a monochrome film frame, often evoke a somewhat deadly feeling. In this work, even though Venus is the nearest planet, it reminds us of its distance from human life. To think of death is also to think of life.
