Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Thomas Hirschhorn. It dates from 2002 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2002, this work by Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn is a layered collage assembled from printed fragments, handwritten annotations, and adhesive tape.
Created in 2002, this work by Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn is a layered collage assembled from printed fragments, handwritten annotations, and adhesive tape. The materials—cut paper, felt-tip and ballpoint ink, and synthetic polymer wrapping—reflect his preference for transient, non-precious media. The piece is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, representing a broader body of work that challenges traditional notions of artistic finish and permanence.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on visceral bodily fragments—a magnified eye marked 'TAKEN!' and a red mouth shouting 'GIVE!'—set against a backdrop of military imagery. Repeated imperative words like 'take' and 'give' function as rhythmic chants, evoking themes of power, demand, and exploitation. The chaotic arrangement suggests a visual protest, where personal and political voices collide without resolution, resisting clear narrative or moral stance.
Technique & Style
Hirschhorn constructs the piece through rapid, accumulative layering: printed images are torn, overlapped, and secured with tape, while handwritten text bleeds across surfaces in uneven strokes. The use of everyday tools—ballpoint pen, felt-tip, pressure-sensitive adhesive—emphasizes immediacy over refinement. The synthetic polymer covering acts as both protector and barrier, preserving the fragile composition while reinforcing its provisional nature.
History & Provenance
Made during a period when Hirschhorn was deeply engaged with public space and political discourse, the work emerged from his practice of transforming domestic materials into immersive environments. It entered The Museum of Modern Art’s collection shortly after its creation, reflecting institutional recognition of his unconventional approach. No prior ownership history is documented beyond its direct acquisition from the artist.
Context
Hirschhorn’s practice evolved from graphic design training in Zurich and was shaped by the conceptual legacies of Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol. In the 1990s, he abandoned commercial work to pursue art that confronted social and economic inequality. This piece aligns with his broader project of creating 'monuments' for the everyday, using mass media imagery to expose power structures without offering solutions.
Legacy
The work exemplifies Hirschhorn’s enduring influence on contemporary drawing and installation practices, particularly in how it redefines authorship and material value. Its raw aesthetic has inspired artists to embrace disorder as a form of critical expression. Rather than seeking preservation, the work invites viewers to confront the instability of meaning in a media-saturated world.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Hirschhorn (born 16 May 1957) is a Swiss artist who lives and works in Paris.
