Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a pastel print by Shusaku Arakawa. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled (1976) is a mixed-media print by Shūsaku Arakawa, combining etching, aquatint, and pastel. Characterized by geometric precision, the work features a central black rectangle encircled by a radiating grid of lines on a light beige background, with scattered darker spots. Superimposed text in light brown reads, 'A POSITION OF BELIEVING IN WHAT IS PERCEIVED'.
Subject & Meaning
The piece embodies Arakawa's exploration of perception, language, and the interplay between art and the physical world. The central rectangle and radiating grid may symbolize the nexus of perceived reality, while the inscribed text reflects on the belief in one's perceptions.
Technique & Style
Arakawa employed a combination of etching, aquatint for tonal depth, and pastel additions for color accents. The overall aesthetic is marked by geometric order and structural clarity, typical of his conceptual and architecturally influenced practice.
History & Provenance
Created in 1976 during Arakawa's collaborative period with Madeline Gins, the work is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Context
Untitled fits within Arakawa's diverse output, spanning printmaking, painting, film, performance, and architecture, highlighting his interdisciplinary approach.
Legacy
As part of Arakawa's conceptual body of work, Untitled contributes to the broader dialogue on perception and the role of the viewer, influencing subsequent generations of conceptual and installation artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Shūsaku Arakawa (荒川 修作, Arakawa Shūsaku; July 6, 1936 – May 19, 2010) was a Japanese conceptual artist and architect.
