Atelier Van Lieshout

Oracle

2021

Mixed media
87 x 10,5 x 200 cm

The most famous oracles are those in Greek mythology with the Oracle at Delphi at the pinnacle of fame. People journeyed from all over to ask the gods for advice which they were provided courtesy of a priest who served as a conduit.

Atelier Van Lieshout’s Oracle can be rolled to the person asking for advice on casters: a mobile service for modern consumers. The stylised flower pattern on the sculpture’s base, which is vaguely reminiscent of art nouveau decorations, provides the suggestion of connection between nature and the higher powers hidden within. However, it is a poor disguise for a dummy that can be manipulated to your heart’s content. Essential to this is that the oracle clearly doesn’t speak from the mouth, but from a hole in the belly. If the message it provides proves incorrect then this can always be put down to inferior interpretation.

Oracle (2021) was part of the following exhibition(s):
Le Voyage, Le Portique, Le Havre (FR), 2022
EHBO, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam (NL), 2021 – 2022

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com