To White Cube Bermondsey to see an almost overwhelmingly ambitious exhibition in terms of vision and scale - Anselm Kiefer: Superstrings, Runes, The Norns, Gordian Knot. The exhibition consists of a series of huge, (some 7 metres wide), paintings of post-apocalyptic landscapes encrusted with twigs, branches and hay. As befitting works on such a monumental scale Kiefer has taken inspiration from big themes with the works pertaining to ancient alphabetical runes, mythology, alchemy and string theory. On entering the White Cube space you are met with a corridor lined with a series of large glass and steel vitrines filled with tangled masses of wires and cables. On to the front of the cases has been scrawled arcane mathematical string theory formulae. The most impressive works here though are the series of bleak, monochromatic landscapes devoid of any human presence, with small impasto daubs of yellow and orange paint indicating fires. What is timely and disturbing about some these images are the similarities of Keifer's vision and the realities of the images seen on the news lately of the aftermath of the charred Australian landscapes following the devastating fires there. In the North Gallery the landscapes contain a touch more colour and have actual axes attached as well as runic alphabet symbols. These reference the legend of the Gordian Knot and Alexander the Great's headstrong, violent answer to solving the Knot's mystery. Although the paintings may appear bleak to some, there is an innate, eerie sense of peace and beauty in the desolation of this collection of Kiefer's work. This is a hugely impressive show.
Anselm Kiefer: Superstrings, Runes, The Norns, Gordian Knot
until 26th January
White Cube Bermondsey
144-152 Bermndsey Street
London
