Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Les Levine. It dates from 1978 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Les Levine's Untitled (1978) is a photoetching print featuring a black-and-white image of a koala in a upright, quadrupedal pose, set against a plain background. The work incorporates two enigmatic text elements: '2 to 3 miles overnight' above the image and 'forming a center' below it.
Subject & Meaning
The central subject is a koala, depicted with fuzzy fur and direct, round-eyed gaze. The meaning of the image is open to interpretation, with the koala's expression and posture offering no clear narrative. The accompanying texts '2 to 3 miles overnight' and 'forming a center' introduce ambiguity, potentially inviting viewers to ponder their connection to the koala or each other.
Technique & Style
Technically, the work is a photoetching, combining photographic imagery with etching techniques to produce a print. Stylistically, the plain background and straightforward presentation of the koala contrast with the cryptic texts, suggesting a blend of straightforward representation and conceptual play.
History & Provenance
Created in 1978, Untitled is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. Little additional context is provided about its creation or initial reception.
Context
While specific contextual details about the work's creation are scarce, it reflects late 1970s explorations in combining text and image in printmaking, as well as interests in the interplay between representation and conceptual art.
Legacy
The legacy of Untitled is tied to its presence in MoMA's collection, indicating its recognition within the broader context of late 20th-century printmaking and conceptual art practices. Direct influences or a substantial body of critical analysis specific to this work are not highlighted in available information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Les Levine is an Irish-born American artist known as a pioneer of video art and as a conceptual artist working with communication media.
