Piene, Otto | Addis Abeba 8, 1972 — available on Composition Gallery

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Fine color screen print, signed by the artist.

Addis Abeba 8 by Otto Piene, a screen print from 1972, is a vibrant exploration of abstract form and intense color. Dominated by bold red and black hues, the composition conveys a sense of energy and movement through sweeping, textured brushstrokes that evoke a floral or organic shape. At the center, a dark triangular form contrasts sharply against the rich red background, drawing the eye and adding a sense of grounding amidst the dynamic swirls. Piene, known for his association with the Zero group, often explored light, color, and elemental forms, and this work is no exception. The artwork encapsulates the intensity of expressionism and an almost primal aesthetic, suggesting themes of creation, energy, and transformation.

Otto Piene (Germany, 1928–2014) was a pioneering artist and co-founder of the ZERO movement, known for his innovative light and fire art. His works explored immateriality and energy, incorporating mediums like smoke, fire, and projections. Iconic pieces such as Light Ballet reflect his fascination with light as a transformative force in art.

Otto Piene

Addis Abeba 8, 1972

Name: Addis Abeba 8, 1972
SKU: 4851
Price: 3200.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Screen-print

Screen-print Screen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or silkscreen printing, is commonly used to produce prints on posters, T-shirts, vinyl, stickers, wood, and other materials. The process is a type of stencil printing, allowing for vibrant, detailed designs on various surfaces.

Edition

Edition of 185

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●Inventory 4851

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Limited Edition Print

Screen-print

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Light is my medium. Previously, paintings and sculptures seemed to glow. Now they do.
- Otto Piene

Otto Piene is a German artist who studied art at both the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and the Academy of Art in Munich. He also studied philosophy at the University of Cologne and worked as a fashion lecturer for several years at the Fashion Institute in Düsseldorf. Otto Piene founded with Heinz Mack the group Zero, where later Gunther Uecker joined. He created his own unusual techniques to achieve stunning visual results. One of Otto Piene’s favorite techniques was to use stencil paintings on grids. In one series of paintings, he used the light from torches projected through the grids. In another, Otto Piene used different sources of fire, such as gas burners or candles, to add smoke to his work. Otto Piene did not limit his work to using only these techniques. Some of his pieces involved printing and he even experimented with both industrial design and kinetic sculpture performance. He designed a statue in the form of a mining lamp in 1999. The statue, called Das Geleucht, was on display in Germany until 2007.

Artwork by Bruce Nauman

What is Process Art?

Process Art is an artistic movement and creative approach where the focus is on the act of creation rather than the final product. The term process in this context refers to the various stages of art-making, including gathering, sorting, associating, and organizing materials and actions. This movement emphasizes the artistic journey and the human expression involved in creating art, rather than the finished piece itself. Process Art is driven by inherent motivation, intentionality, and the rationale behind the actions, viewing the creative process as the true artwork.

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Otto Piene

Addis Abeba 8, 1972

146 x 96 cm

Language & Currency

Otto Piene