| This art historical
satire is composed of two images. On the left we have Rodin's Monument
to Balzac, 1897 as photographed by Edward Steichen, at Meudon, 1906.
On the right is Ringsby's deconstructionist satire of Rodin. In the original
sculpture Rodin portrayed legendary French novelist and lover, Honre de
Belzac caught in the throes of male genius. The writer is pictured in his
standard apparel, a dressing gown. His immense head of hair dramatically
falls back. Curiously, there is a large bulge at waist level with his concealed
hands holding it back. Ringsby exposes this "Balzac" to find the
hidden source of power Balzac seems to hold under his robe. Balzac Exposed,
1991 satirically exposes great male power to be nothing more than, literally,
banana power and a gorilla suit. It is but a theatrical farce. |
