The Patient Artist

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Laib has always been attracted to ascetic practice. After his first exhibition in New York, in 1979, he rented a loft there for a few months. The only furnishings were a six-inch portrait of Saint Francis of Assisi, a large pollen work, and a cloth mat. In interviews, he notes his interest in the monastic traditions of both East and West. He reads Buddhist philosophy, the teachings of Saint Francis, and the Sufi mystic Rumi. It's not difficult to see the influence of the monastic traditions in his work; there's a pervasive sense of reverence and contemplation, though Laib avoids titles and overt symbols that could link his work definitively to any one religion.

At first glance, it seems natural to classify Laib as a minimalist, but his work strays far from minimalist ideology. Minimalist sculp-ture deals with intellectual investigation of space. It's about ideas. Once the artist has determined the concept, the making of the artwork can easily be passed on to assistants. Laib, on the other hand, insists on collecting each grain of pollen, and the end result is a sense of awe that is palpable for viewers. His work never becomes a cold investigation of space or form; it retains something spiritual.

The difference between Laib's work and most minimal art comes out in viewers' reactions. A cavernous room that houses minuscule works composed of pollen is arresting to more than just the intellect. It demands thoughtful reflection and meditation. As viewers enter and leave the installation, rarely can a whisper be heard, even from those who know nothing of the artist. People respond with a deep stirring of wonder. No one dares break the stillness.

In a world where, as Merton observed, 'what counts is getting things done,' Laib's work asks the viewer to step outside the stream of time, to slow down and sink into a piece of art.

Excerpted from Image (#53), a quarterly publication of art and literature informed by--or grappling with--religious faith. Subscriptions: $39.95/yr. (4 issues) from Box 3000, Denville, NJ 07834; www.imagejournal.org.

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