Front Row's Peter Simek recently pointed out this Interview Magazine article with Tony Tasset. In it the artist discussed Eye, his three story sculpture that's currently locked in a staring contest with the Joule hotel, dismissing notions that surveillance serves as an intentional underlying theme.
It's a fun read, and when pushed to expound on what makes an eyeball worthy of this idol-like scale, he said this: "I don't try to make work that's original. I try to make work that's quintessential. Meaning, an eyeball seems to be the quintessential kind of surrealist sculpture."
So sometimes an eyeball is just an eyeball.
The Joule's August press announcement teased a future Eye-specific programming partnership with the Nasher. Now, it's happening. On Sunday, January 19th at 2 p.m. Tony Tasset speaks at the museum's 360 series. Space is limited for this one because c'mon, Tasset's an interesting cat. Do yourself a solid and RSVP now to spend an afternoon with the artist, learning his motivations for stripping down and blowing up contemporary iconic imagery. Bonus: You'll see the source material for Dallas' most confrontational artwork.
See also: This Giant Eyeball Sculpture Arrives In Dallas Today, And Boy Is It Freaky Lookin'
