Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Gianfredo Camesi, 1990
Untitled, by Gianfredo Camesi, 1990

Untitled is a print by Gianfredo Camesi. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

Gianfredo Camesi, a Swiss artist born in 1940, produced an untitled sticker artwork circa 1990, now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. Characterized by a diagonal text arrangement on a light yellow background, the piece features the French phrase 'EN CET INSTANT TU VOIS ET TU ENTENDS' in black letters, with 'CAMESI' signed below.

Subject & Meaning

The sticker's text, 'EN CET INSTANT TU VOIS ET TU ENTENDS' ('In this instant you see and you hear'), explores the immediacy of perception, juxtaposing visual and auditory experience in a single, fleeting moment. The phrase's diagonal orientation may imply a dynamic or unstable relationship between these senses.

Technique & Style

Technically, the work utilizes a sticker format, typical of Camesi's experimentation with diverse mediums. The simple, bold typography and limited color palette (black text on a light yellow background) suggest a emphasis on clarity and directness, allowing the text's message to dominate.

History & Provenance

Created around 1990, this sticker is part of a broader practice that saw Camesi engage with various artistic mediums. Previously, Camesi had represented Switzerland at the 12th São Paulo Art Biennial in 1973 and exhibited in Zurich and Geneva galleries. The work is now held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art.

Context

Emerging from Camesi's later period, this work reflects the artist's continued interest in conceptual and linguistically driven art practices prevalent in the late 20th century. The use of French, common in Swiss artistic and cultural contexts, particularly in Geneva where Camesi began his career, adds a layer of regional specificity.

Legacy

As part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, this untitled sticker contributes to the institutional recognition of Camesi's diverse output and his exploration of language in art. It remains a testament to the artist's ability to convey complex ideas through deceptively simple means.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gianfredo Camesi

Artist

Gianfredo Camesi

Gianfredo Camesi (24 March 1940 – 18 November 2025) was a Swiss painter. Camesi moved to Geneva in 1960 where he started experimenting with painting and sculpture. Towards the end of the 1960s, he started his…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.