Art Instillation- The Gentle prisoner by Rebecca Horn
This piece of Performance art was created by Rebecca Horn in 1978. Rebecca Horn is a German artist most famous for her body modification art and art instillations. Horn had a near death experience, which has inspired a lot of her instillation art. She wanted to communicate her experience through bodily forms, and express her loneliness, and “fear of physical protection”( https://anna-rebeccahorn.blogspot.com/ ) The Gentle prisoner consists of two peacock feather fans that can open and close. When closed the piece appears claustrophobic, suggesting this is how she felt when she was ill. However, she juxtaposes the claustrophobic, prison like space by using feathers, which are soft and comforting. The space she creates when the fans are closed could show how she felt when she was ill; trapped and isolated, both mentally and physically. The fans also block her view to the outside world, implying that she might have been sheltered whilst she was ill, or that she was so focused on her illness that she didn’t notice her surroundings. However, the feathers imply that there is a comfort in being alone and sheltered, so this piece alternates between being a safe space and a prison, perhaps showing her conflicting feelings about being isolated. She called this piece “Gentle prisoner” this suggests fragility, like she can escape her prison but is reluctant to do so.
When open, the piece gives the impression that she has come out of a cocoon, like she is taking a breath of fresh air. It could symbolise renewal or re-birth, a new chance at life after her near death experience. The movement of the fans opening reminds me of wings. Birds are a symbol of freedom so it suggests how she felt after recovering from her near-death experience, portraying her feelings of liberation. However, when the fans close again, the art instillation appears melancholy and lonely. Suggesting that Horn’s memories and trauma of her past experiences still haunt her.
