Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Christof Kohlhöfer Sigmar Polke. It dates from 1966 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This is a black-and-white photo of a metal stand holding up a wire frame.
This is a black-and-white photo of a metal stand holding up a wire frame. The frame looks like a palm tree but is made of straight pieces of wire. It’s stuck to a plain wall, and the floor is dark. The whole thing is simple and a little stiff.
The title is *Zollstockpalme*, which means "Zollstock palm" in German. That’s the name of a neighborhood in Berlin. The artists made this in 1966 as part of a series of photos.
Next, check out lithography to see how this kind of print was made.
Overview
Untitled, also known as Zollstockpalme, is a black‑and‑white photolithograph produced in 1966. The image depicts a metal stand supporting a wire framework that resembles a palm tree, rendered in stark linear forms against a plain wall and a dark floor. The work belongs to a series of fourteen similar prints created by the collaborative effort of Christof Kohlhöfer and Sigmar Polke, and it is currently in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an everyday object—a stand and a wire palm—isolated from its surroundings, emphasizing its geometric construction. By referencing a Berlin neighbourhood named Zollstock, the artists hint at a local identity while also playing with the notion of a tropical palm rendered in industrial materials, inviting viewers to consider the tension between the familiar and the artificial.
Technique & Style
The piece is a photolithograph, a process that transfers a photographic image onto a lithographic stone or plate for printing. This method allows for precise rendering of fine lines and tonal contrasts, which the work exploits to achieve its crisp, graphic quality. The stark monochrome palette and minimalist arrangement reflect the experimental printmaking practices of the mid‑1960s.
History & Provenance
Created as part of a fourteen‑image portfolio in 1966, the print entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting the collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches of German artists during the post‑war period.
Context
The mid‑1960s saw German artists exploring new media and collaborative production, often blurring the lines between photography and print. Kohlhöfer and Polke’s partnership exemplifies this trend, merging photographic documentation with lithographic technique to question the boundaries of representation and the role of everyday objects in contemporary art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christof Kohlhöfer Sigmar Polke
Christof Kohlhöfer Sigmar Polke (1941–2010) was a German artist.
