In Klaus Weber’s work The Big Giving a group of male and female figures are cast rising out of, or simultaneously sinking into volcanic-looking mounds of rock made from industrial steel waste. Their heads and hands protrude from the stone and streams of water gush from a different body part on each figure, spouting from mouths, eyes, ears and armpits.
The figures as they appear to be vomiting, urinating, spitting, sweating and crying, suggesting an abundant outpouring of bodily fluids. The title of the work, The Big Giving refers to the native North American potlatch ceremony, in which the host’s status increases the more he or she gives. Weber’s fountain physically plays out this excess of giving and receiving, as the water gushes from one figure to another.
Internationally renowned, Weber is best known in this country for his installation Public Fountain LSD Hall (2003). In the centre of this piece stands a three-tiered Victorian crystal fountain filled with homeopathic LSD.
The exhibition will run from Saturday 14 July 2007 to Sunday 14 October 2007, 9am – 9pm daily. -- www.southbankcentre.co.uk
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