Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Philip Corner. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This untitled 1958 work shows three sheets of see-through paper layered with black ink. Two upper sheets have wavy blue lines. The bottom sheet has a jagged cut-out.
The see-through paper lets colors mix where sheets overlap. This feels like music on paper, not just drawing. The cut-out adds a shadow-box effect.
Go see it at The Museum of Modern Art.
Overview
Philip Corner's Untitled (1958) is a layered drawing composed of three sheets of transparentized musical composition paper, featuring black ink, wavy blue lines, and a jagged cut-out, creating a dynamic visual interplay.
Subject & Meaning
The work transcends traditional drawing, evoking a musical quality through its transparent, layered structure and the incorporation of musical composition paper, suggesting a symbiosis between visual art and music.
Technique & Style
Corner employs a combination of ink drawing, layering, and cut-out techniques to achieve a unique, shadow-box effect. The transparency of the paper allows for color mixing where sheets overlap, adding depth and visual complexity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1958, the piece is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection, reflecting its significance within the context of mid-20th-century experimental art practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Lionel Corner is an American composer, trombonist, alphornist, vocalist, pianist, music theorist, music educator, and visual artist.
