Franz West - Contemporary Art London Friday, October 13, 2006 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Galerie Peter Packesch, Vienna; David Zwirner Gallery, New York

  • Catalogue Essay

    “There have been many theories of art that try to break down the border between art and the world, but I don't find such attempts to be particularly meaningful. Art remains art. I really see my works as quite compatible with a I'art pour I'art philosophy. One may think that I try to bring the art object out into the world since my works sometimes appear to have a practical function, but really it's the other way around: Things in the world can, under certain special circumstances, enter the realm of art. And, in fact, once they have entered this realm they are art. Joseph Beuys thought differently about this, and so he developed his theory of social sculpture, which I can't say I've ever really understood.
    There is a certain irony to many of my works. But this word is often used in a way that tries to make the work seem less serious, tries to render it harmless. That's not how I wish to be understood. To me, irony implies a critique of the traditional expectations of art as untouchable and sacrosanct. Cultural objects that are presented in museums demand a certain distance, which marks their status and commands a certain level of respect from the viewer. The ancient problem of subject and object, which probably can be traced back to Plato's idea of the philosopher's eye and the eternal idea, is something that my works attempt to dismantle. But there is, of course, something much more personal going on here as well. Although I knew many artists when I was young, the very idea of becoming one was something that made me nervous. I couldn't really see myself entering this serious realm in a straightforward way. My Passtucke, and really all of my works, are about entering into the realm of art. Yes, the very act of entering has become my theme.” (Franz West quoted in Daniel Birnbaumt, “A Thousand words: Franz West – Includes Related Articles on The Audience Impact of Franz West’s Art – Mixed Media Art”, Artforum, February 1999)

11

Untitled

1991
Fabric collage and corrugated cardboard, dispersion, acrylic, gouache, enamel, glue, cigarette filters, and wire.
59 1/4 x 110 5/8 in. (150.5 x 281 cm).

Estimate
£40,000 - 60,000 ‡♠

Sold for £84,000

Contemporary Art

14 Oct 2006, 7pm
London