Be Afraid of the Enormity of the Possible

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Be Afraid of the Enormity of the Possible

Artist Alfredo Jaar Chilean, born 1956

Date2015

Dimensions47 1/2 x 72 in. (120.7 x 182.9 cm)

MediumNeon

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineMuseum Purchase and Gift of Florence Scott Libbey, by exchange

Object number

2016.9

Not on View

Label TextChilean artist Alfredo Jaar has a desire to change the world; he also accepts how naïve that goal is. He began around the 2010s to explore neon text—light and words—as a medium to provoke deep connections and thoughtful discourse. His neon works often quote or are inspired by poets and philosophers. “I strongly believe in the power of a single idea,” Jaar explains, “so the most difficult thing for me is to arrive at the essence of what you want to say.” The phrase “Be afraid of the enormity of the possible” is based on the writings of philosopher Emil Cioran (Romanian, 1911–1995), one of Jaar’s favorite authors. Here color, light, and scale transform the thought-provoking quote into a form of visual poetry. Unapologetically political, Jaar addresses globalism and its negative outcomes in his art, particularly issues of social and economic inequality, humanitarian crises, and political divisions. He believes his art can effect change, informing and engaging his audience and illuminating his message, both figuratively and sometimes—as in TMA’s neon work—literally.