Urs Fischer's The Trouble with Being Born took center stage at his solo exhibition in Gagosian, Beverly Hills, in 2015, offering a glimpse into the enigmatic nature of his creations. His artistic approach defies academic classification, moving constantly between genres, motifs and materials and encompassing a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and installations. Drawing inspiration from Dada, Pop Art, and conceptualism, Fischer’s imagination continues to surprise us with the creation of this active fountain merging the familiar with the uncanny.
“People seem to fear art. Art has always been a word for this thing that can’t be rationalized; when you see or hear something that you struggle to explain. But that’s its strength, of course, that’s what the word ‘art’ is for.”
—Urs Fischer
Crafted from brass, The Trouble with Being Born emerged from hand-built clay models. The water basin boasts a pristine white powder coating along the rims, while the base retains a raw, roseate metal finish. Engaging with this piece generates a curious mix of emotions, as viewers attempt to decode the intriguing mishmash of materials adorning the water basin—evoking images of mud, foliage, and even footprints. This original water basin highlights Fischer's capacity to bridge the mundane with the extraordinary, crafting sculptures that blur the boundaries between everyday life and imaginary worlds. A defining aspect of this indoor fountain is its ten-foot-high water jet which creates a humid and vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a village square. Impressively, this fountain's design has been conceived to avoid water wastage. Equipped with an internal water recycling system and installed indoors to limit water evaporation, this fountain consumes a minimal quantity of water.
The Trouble with Being Born is part of the artist’s recent reinterpretation of classical art themes including still life, portraits, nudes, landscapes, and interiors. Fischer’s artistic approach transcends eras, blending classical influences with contemporary sensibilities. The Trouble with Being Born demonstrates Fischer’s capacity to evoke contemplation, curiosity, and emotion while encouraging observers to explore boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the known and the mysterious.
