Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Arthur Köpcke. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1962, this untitled work by Arthur Köpcke consists of cut‑and‑pasted printed paper over which the artist has added typewritten text. The composition is presented as a drawing, composed of two elongated, featureless figures positioned side by side against a backdrop of overlapping German and English phrases.
Subject & Meaning
The two slender silhouettes, rendered without facial detail, stand before a wall of typed instructions, reminders, and poetic fragments. The juxtaposition of mundane directives such as “now wash your hands” with references to mortality and temporality invites viewers to contemplate the tension between everyday routine and existential concerns.
Technique & Style
Köpcke employs a collage method, cutting printed matter and reassembling it on a paper support, then overlaying the surface with typewritten lines. The drawing’s line work is minimal and gestural, while the textual layer is dense, with repetitions, cross‑outs, and multilingual snippets that create a fragmented visual rhythm.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in the early 1960s, a period when Köpcke was active in the European avant‑garde network. It entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of post‑war experimental works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Köpcke, also known as Arthur Køpcke, was a German-born artist known for his contributions to the first generation of Fluxus. Köpcke’s work includes paintings, scrolls, literary works, objects, collages, assemblies and Fluxus boxes.
