“The Consequences of Sloping/Leaning”
Museum of Contemporary Art, Santa Barbara, CA
August 7 – October 9, 2011
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The sculptures in the series The Consequences of Sloping/ Leaning represent Kunath’s investigation into the “interstitial spaces” that abound in Southern California, places that are meant to be overlooked, whether under a bridge, next to a freeway or in a partially completed housing development. 
 
Kunath relates, “Most of the land around where I grew up in Orange County was constantly in flux. It was constantly being reconstructed, redeveloped or developed from scratch. Even though we aren’t supposed to pay attention to these unfinished spaces, subconsciously, I think, we are always taking in this visual state of flux.
 
“I’m also interested in the ways that artists and engineers work with three dimensional materials. The materials we use sort of mimic the ways that nature creates forms and structures, a reflection of the way that the simple world evolves and transitions. For example, many of our man-made structures are meant to stabilize the earth (like retaining walls or foundations), but eventually they fall apart and give way to entropy. In these broken-down, forgotten places I see a great potential for new, unrealized forms to develop.

- Catalog text by Kim Beil, Museum of Contemporary Art, Santa Barbara 2011 Call-For-Entries 
 
 

The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
“The Consequences of Sloping/Leaning”, installation view
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, steel, spray paint
"Internal Corrosion"
2011
Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, steel, spray paint
dimensions variable
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Internal Corrosion", detail view
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, spray paint
"Treatment Form"
2011
Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, spray paint
24" x 24" x 10
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, wood, steel, spray paint
"Pin/ Tuck [with Striking Bar and Flushing Collar]"
2011
Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, wood, steel, spray paint
dimensions variable
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Pin/ Tuck [with Striking Bar and Flushing Collar]"
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Land Sculpt [with window]", detail view
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, wood, acrylic, acetate, steel, spray paint, ink, found and photographed imagery
"Land Sculpt [with window]"
2011
Paper maché, plaster, chicken wire, cheesecloth, latex paint, wood, acrylic, acetate, steel, spray paint, ink, found and photographed imagery
dimensions variable
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Land Sculpt [with window]", detail
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Land Sculpt [with window]", detail
Bessie Kunath The Consequences of Leaning/Sloping
"Land Sculpt [with window]", detail