visible fashion. He makes no attempt to conceal the production process.This has thestrange effect of making the work seem more objective,not less. It is as if Kiefer intentionally tries to hide himself behind the artwork by showing himself so blatantly.Three themes tie Kiefer's
artistic commentary on technology
to Heidegger's philosophy. First, neither Heidegger nor Kiefer are interested in
mere technology
. Theyare both interested in the
essence of technology
, Heidegger in its ontological aspects andKiefer in its spiritual aspects.This is especially evidentin Kiefer's interest in alchemyand energy flow.In a series of works completed in the early 1980's, Kiefer used mixedmedia, emulsions of lead and wax, and photographs to depict views of solar and nuclear energy production and transmission that erupt in what could either be catastrophes or spiritual emanations.He combines materials in a way that suggests alchemicaltransmutation.However, he is not the transformer. The genius and the promise emerge inthe way the materials reveal their potential. Their truth
is in the revealing capacity of thework in its thinghood, not in the genius or vision of the artist.On the transformation of lead into gold Kiefer has this to say:
Previously, the alchemist accelerated this process with magical means. As an artist, I do nothing differently. I simply accelerate the transformation which is already inherent in things.
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By acting as a medium for what is already inherent in the earth and world, Kiefer,allows the potential of the artwork to emerge.His attraction to the spiritual aspect of technology, especially circulation, flow, and electricity, as well the metaphysicalterminology he uses to describe technology, suggests that he is after the essence of technology.