Eva Hesse - American Sculptor

             When I walk into galleries and see artwork, sometimes I am able to understand design choices on a conceptual level. Choosing certain mediums to work in and the use of certain materials can definitely add to the artwork as far as portraying its message in the conceptual realm. First off, I will begin to look more in depth at the work of art itself pertaining to Eva Hesse. One might question how someone might express concepts of loss or melancholia through the physicality or materials in a work of art. Eva Hesse manages to accomplish this by choosing to use latex as a prominent material in a lot of her artwork. The use of latex works beneficially in her artwork in itself and also while interacting with the environment in order to make these themes more evident. Latex is a material that is constantly changing as time goes on and has a "lifespan" of sorts. Also, latex has flesh-like qualities which creates a connection to the human body. Eva was very successful in consciously choosing to use latex throughout her artwork. She was well aware that latex, and her artwork as a whole, would deteriorate and decay over time. This was an excellent decision in that it expresses loss and melancholia in a physical way. .
             Eva Hesse passed away at a young age due to a brain illness and I believe that working with latex as a medium created a connection on a much more personal level. The latex falling apart is a very clear parallel to the concept of loss. Now as I continue to analyze the latex as a medium, I am presented with another relation. This relationship is not derived so much from just the latex as a medium, but more so on how the atmosphere and environment interacts with the latex. Specifically speaking, when a light source hits this material, I get a feeling of displacement and loss. The browning of the latex affects the light as it hits the piece, and displaces it from its original form of light.