Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Tom Sachs. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2013, this untitled work by Tom Sachs consists of a portfolio of eight etchings that incorporate cut‑and‑pasted chine collé. The series is part of the print collection at the Museum of Modern Art and presents a technical, diagrammatic view of a rocket vehicle, rendered in a sketch‑like manner.
Subject & Meaning
The images depict a rocket ship opened to reveal its internal components, with annotations pointing to elements such as a liquid‑oxygen tank and a crawler transporter. The dense labeling of dimensions, weights and specifications evokes the language of engineering schematics, inviting viewers to consider the intersection of artistic representation and aerospace technology.
Technique & Style
Sachs employs traditional etching processes combined with chine collé, a method that adheres paper fragments onto the printed surface. The resulting prints retain the crispness of the etched lines while the pasted elements add texture. Hand‑drawn arrows and marginal notes contribute a spontaneous, almost provisional quality, contrasting the precision of the technical subject.
History & Provenance
The portfolio was produced in 2013 and subsequently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains in the permanent collection. Its inclusion reflects MoMA’s interest in contemporary print practices that merge craft techniques with conceptual inquiry.
Context
Sachs’s background in sculpture and his interest in industrial objects inform the work’s aesthetic. By treating a rocket as a schematic diagram, the series dialogues with traditions of technical drawing, while also referencing the artist’s broader practice of repurposing everyday materials to explore systems of production and function.
Artist & collection
