The artwork presented here is titled “Second Choice,” created by artist Kiki Smith in 1989. It belongs to the installation genre of art.
The artwork features a shallow, oval-shaped vessel that appears to be made from a coarse, earthen material. Inside the vessel, there are various sculpted elements resembling human bones and other anatomical forms. The forms are rendered in different colors, predominantly in shades of black, white, gold, and brown. The arrangement of these objects within the vessel suggests a thematic exploration of mortality, the human body, and perhaps a reflection on choices or conditions that are secondary in nature. The rough texture of the vessel and its contents, combined with the monochromatic color palette, evoke a sense of stark realism and visceral engagement. Interested viewers are led to contemplate the convergence of life, death, and the physical residue left behind.
