7246 - Piene, Otto

Piene, Otto Untitled, from: Edition Original 1 Fire gouache with stamp on vellum. 1965. 41 x 36.3 cm. Signed "OPiene" in pencil and dated in the lower right corner. Edition of 100, numbered. Ex. The paint splatters outward explosively onto the light background; in the center, the concentrated rays of the iris are accentuated by soot-black within the stamped contours of the eyes. For his fire gouache technique, Piene used a wide variety of materials—such as paper, canvas, or metal plates—which he prepared with a special mixture of pigments and binders. He then set the material ablaze in a kind of performance to achieve the desired effect of fire and smoke. The colors and textures created by burning the pigments were unpredictable, making the creative process largely unforeseeable. Fire, as an element of transformation and change, fascinated Piene and served as a creative partner in his work. A magnificent example showcasing beautiful material effects. Each piece in this edition is a unique work. Provenance: Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia - Please request condition reports for the lots, as the condition is usually not specified in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.