Daniel Spoerri

Daniel Spoerri "Carnaval des Animaux Ziege" 1995

I first encountered the work of Daniel Spoerri at KunstHausWien (an incredible little museum in Vienna with undulating, funhouse architecture, which is worth visiting for the environment alone).  Spoerri works mainly in assemblage, using found objects to create sometimes whimsical, sometimes messy, but always interesting pieces.  Like Joseph Cornell, Spoerri's art takes everyday objects, and elevates them to a level of mystery and wonder.  Spoerri's work is a bit rougher than Cornell's though - it has an earthiness I really like.  But there is a divinity in the dirt.