Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Bob Grimes. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The words "PULL FOLD" are printed at the top, and below that it says "Bob Grimes/Fluxus/1966.
This is a plain brown paper wrapper with light blue text. The words "PULL FOLD" are printed at the top, and below that it says "Bob Grimes/Fluxus/1966." The edges are slightly creased, and the paper looks worn.
The text hints this was part of an art project. It’s simple, almost like an instruction for something you’d find in a box.
If you want to see more work like this, check out The Museum of Modern Art.
Overview
Untitled, produced in 1966 by artist Bob Grimes, is a modest letter‑press printed card and its brown paper wrapper. The piece consists of a plain, slightly creased sheet bearing light‑blue type that reads “PULL FOLD” at the top, followed by the artist’s name, the Fluxus affiliation, and the date. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The printed instruction “PULL FOLD” suggests an interactive, procedural element typical of Fluxus works, inviting the viewer to consider the act of handling the object as part of the artwork. By presenting a functional‑looking wrapper as a stand‑alone object, Grimes blurs the line between everyday packaging and artistic gesture, prompting reflection on the materiality of instruction.
Technique & Style
Executed with a traditional letterpress process, the work employs a limited palette of brown paper and light‑blue ink. The crisp, industrial type contrasts with the worn edges of the paper, emphasizing the tension between mass‑produced printing methods and the handmade appearance of a used wrapper. The aesthetic is deliberately spare, echoing the minimalist visual language of the 1960s.
History & Provenance
Created in 1966, the piece entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection as part of its acquisition of Fluxus‑related objects. Its provenance traces directly to Grimes’s involvement with the Fluxus network, a movement that emphasized reproducibility and the dematerialization of the art object. The work has remained in MoMA’s holdings since its acquisition.
Context
Bob Grimes was an active participant in the Fluxus movement, which sought to dissolve boundaries between art and daily life through simple, often instructional objects. The “PULL FOLD” wrapper reflects the era’s experimental approach to print media, aligning with contemporaneous works that used mail art, artist books, and printed directives to engage audiences beyond traditional gallery formats.
Artist & collection
