Frans Muhren

Artist: Frans Muhren Education: Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, 1971–1975

I work with various materials, such as synthetics, iron, wood, and “objets trouvés.” What all my sculptures have in common is movement and color. Some of them actually move, while others express movement. Here you can see two sculptures from the “Tango mortale” series, which is an example of the latter. In this series, the iron is cut into shape with a cutting torch, heated, bent, and finished. Usually, the two figures are welded together and then painted. The “Tango mortale” sculptures represent the dynamics and tension of human relationships—such as those between the sexes. As the title suggests, the dance may end badly. Of all dances, the tango is the most passionate in its movement but also, in itself, the most detached. To attract and repel is the essence of the dance. In the third sculpture shown here, as in some of my other sculptures, you can see the influence of famous painters such as Rousseau, Matisse, and Mondrian. The influence of Mondrian is evident in the *Boogie-woogieworp*, which is a tribute to the painter (based on his last, unfinished painting, *Victory Boogie Woogie*).