Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Arman. It dates from 1978 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1978, this untitled screenprint by Arman is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The composition consists of stacked rows of geometric forms rendered in vivid blues and oranges. The surface displays a tactile quality, with pigment applied in thick, uneven layers that sometimes appear rubbed or partially erased, giving the work a sense of materiality and process.
Technique & Style
This approach underscores Arman’s interest in the physicality of printmaking, emphasizing texture over smooth, uniform finishes.
The piece was produced using a screen‑printing method, in which ink is forced through a mesh onto paper. The artist’s handling of the medium results in bold, flat color fields that are deliberately irregular; the paint’s edges are rough and the layers show signs of abrasion. This approach underscores Arman’s interest in the physicality of printmaking, emphasizing texture over smooth, uniform finishes.
Subject & Meaning
Absent a title, the work invites viewers to focus on its formal qualities rather than a narrative content. The juxtaposition of saturated blue and orange blocks creates a visual tension that can be read as an exploration of contrast and balance. The visible wear and fading suggest a dialogue about the passage of time and the artist’s engagement with the material’s own history.
History & Provenance
The screenprint entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after being acquired in the late 20th century, reflecting the institution’s effort to document Arman’s print practice. Its dating to the late 1970s places it within a period when the artist was expanding his repertoire beyond assemblage, experimenting with graphic processes and the reproducibility of everyday visual language.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arman was a French and American artist. Born Armand Fernandez in Nice, France, Arman was a painter who moved from using objects for the ink or paint traces they leave to using them as the artworks themselves. He is best…
