Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Matsumi Kanemitsu. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Two strips of paper at the top and bottom have handwritten words: one says "Micky Mouse Series," the other has a name and a place—"Summerland, L.
This black-and-white print shows thick, messy brushstrokes covering most of the page. In the middle, there’s a big number "18" made of torn paper. Two strips of paper at the top and bottom have handwritten words: one says "Micky Mouse Series," the other has a name and a place—"Summerland, L.A. Calif. 1970."
The torn paper and scribbles look like they were added after the print was made. The artist played with how things look when they’re broken or layered.
Look up lithography to see how prints like this are made.
Overview
Untitled is a black-and-white lithograph from a 1970 portfolio of nineteen works by Matsumi "Mike" Kanemitsu, a Japanese-American artist adept in Western and Japanese sumi techniques. The piece is characterized by expressive, thick brushstrokes and overlaid elements, now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Untitled appears abstract, with the primary visual elements being a large, torn-paper numeral "18" centrally placed amidst chaotic brushwork. Additional handwritten text strips reference the "Micky Mouse Series" and a specific location and date, introducing potential narrative or thematic layers without clear resolution.
Technique & Style
Kanemitsu's technique in Untitled blends lithographic printing with post-production interventions, evidenced by the manually added torn paper numeral and handwritten text strips. This layering reflects the artist's exploration of layered, broken, or fragmented visual effects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1970, Untitled is part of a lithograph portfolio. The work's provenance includes its current holding in The Museum of Modern Art's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
The piece reflects Kanemitsu's versatility across Western and Japanese artistic traditions, incorporating both the precision of lithography and the spontaneity of manual post-printing alterations, characteristic of his eclectic style.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of Untitled are not highlighted, its inclusion in MoMA's collection suggests recognition of its value within Kanemitsu's oeuvre and the broader context of late 20th-century experimental printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matsumi "Mike" Kanemitsu (May 28, 1922 – May 11, 1992) was a Japanese-American painter who was also proficient in Japanese style sumi and lithography.
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