Sculpture - "Lightning with Stag in its Glare" by Joseph Beuys

“lightning” cast from a large heap of clay
Really like the texture of the clay + the way it is used. Really natural textures - almost kind of piled on top of itself repeatedly.
Still quite abstract shapes / not really figurative but still representative of different animals
Meant to reflect war?? And clay used to reflect earth left over. "lightning" also a reference to ecological disasters. Mark making and texture clearly reflects these ideas of chaos / dysfunction.
Also interested in presentation of piece itself - huge industrial metal girder which piece is attached to.
All these elements and size of piece give it grand / important / epic atmosphere

Art - Tate visit