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Hands and/or Feet (part two)
2009–2010

John Baldessari's "Hands and/or Feet (Part Two)," spanning 2009 to 2010, serves as a continuation and expansion of the thematic and conceptual exploration initiated in the first part of the series. This segment further delves into the expressive possibilities of isolating hands and feet within the compositional frame, pushing the boundaries of abstraction, narrative suggestion, and the interplay between representation and interpretation. Like its predecessor, "Part Two" maintains Baldessari’s distinctive approach to conceptual art, combining photography, painting, and occasionally text to create works that are both visually striking and intellectually stimulating.


In "Hands and/or Feet (Part Two)," Baldessari continues to explore the expressive potential of these body parts but with an expanded focus on their interaction with various objects and settings. This series includes images where hands and feet are seen in conjunction with everyday items, positioned in ways that suggest action, interaction, or even the hint of a narrative. These compositions play with scale, perspective, and juxtaposition, creating a dynamic tension between the human elements and the objects they engage with. This approach not only highlights the tactile and physical nature of human experience but also invites viewers to infer stories, relationships, and emotional states from the visual clues provided.


This series is also marked by a deeper investigation into the aesthetics of fragmentation. By focusing on hands and feet as detached from the continuity of the body, Baldessari emphasizes the autonomy of these parts, exploring their sculptural qualities and their capacity to convey meaning independently. This fragmentation serves to abstract the human form, reducing it to its essential communicative components and, in doing so, challenges viewers to reconsider the ways in which we read and interpret bodily gestures in the absence of facial expressions or other contextualizing cues.


Moreover, "Hands and/or Feet (Part Two)" reflects Baldessari's ongoing critique of the conventions of art and the processes of seeing and understanding. The series plays with the idea of concealment and revelation, often obscuring parts of the image or presenting the hands and feet in unexpected configurations that disrupt conventional patterns of perception. This manipulation of visual information not only engages the viewer's imagination and interpretive faculties but also comments on the nature of art itself as a medium that both reveals and conceals, that communicates directly while also evading fixed meanings.


John Baldessari's "Hands and/or Feet (Part Two)" is a testament to his innovative and playful approach to conceptual art, demonstrating his ability to provoke thought and challenge perception through the manipulation of everyday imagery. Through this series, Baldessari invites a deeper engagement with the nuances of human expression and the complex interplay between form, function, and meaning, further solidifying his legacy as a master of contemporary art who continually redefines the boundaries of visual and conceptual exploration.