Robert Heinecken - Photographs Day Sale New York Thursday, April 2, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Cherry and Martin, Los Angeles

  • Literature

    Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Robert Heinecken, pp. 53-59, 86 and 87
    The Museum of Modern Art, Robert Heinecken: Object Matter, pp. 50-59, 134-139

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since the 1970s Robert Heinecken’s has cleverly challenged notions of sexuality, gender identity and economic status, among other pertinent socio-cultural issues. By drawing attention to the constructed nature of imagery, be it through his three-dimensional photo-sculptures, photo-grids or handmade puzzles, Heinecken shone a spotlight on the building blocks upholding universally-accepted assumptions about the self. Accordingly, Heinecken considered himself a para-photographer, whereby his work transcended the traditional conventions affiliated with the medium.

    In Recto/Verso Heinecken culled magazines pages from popular publications and proceeded to place them on light-sensitive paper. Upon exposure, both sides (recto and verso) of the page transferred to the paper, collapsing disparate images onto a single frame. The intersection of the two images had a variety of effects that were heightened by their unexpected nature. Some seemingly innocent images were suddenly imbued with an unforeseen salacious undertone, whereas the sex appeal of titillating images was diffused by the humorous appearance of their banal counterparts. Indeed, the dialogue between the two images on a single frame begets visual hybrids that are at times absurd, at others awkward, and unfailingly engaging.

126

Recto/Verso

Berkeley: Landweber/Artists, 1988. Twelve dye destruction prints, each with text overlay.
Each approximately 8 7/8 x 10 3/4 in. (22.5 x 27.3 cm) or the reverse.
Each variously signed, titled, dated, numbered 9/50 and copyright notation in ink or pencil on the verso. Numbered 9/50 in ink on the colophon. Enclosed in a portfolio case. Accompanied by 'ARE YOU REA', a set of twenty-five reproductions of a series of photograms with accompanying letter signed and numbered 409/500 in ink by the artist.

Estimate
$40,000 - 60,000 

Sold for $52,500

Contact Specialist
Vanessa Kramer Hallett
Worldwide Head, Photographs

Shlomi Rabi
Head of Sale, New York

General Enquiries:
+1 212 940 1245

Photographs Day Sale

New York 2 April 2015 10am & 2pm