Burning, Cutting, Nailing

Published on the occasion of the exhibition, Burning, Cutting, Nailing: Klein, Fontana, Uecker is a detailed and beautifully illustrated catalogue which highlights the work of these three artists whose dual approach of destruction and creation responded to a new social reality in the aftermath of W.W.II and marked a radical and new beginning in art.

The catalogue features archival images of each of these masters at work, alongside insightful quotations which elucidate their practice. Following the lead of the exhibition, the catalogue is focused on select monochromatic works, including Lucio Fontana’s red and white ‘cut’ or tagli paintings as well as his metal paintings in copper and aluminum; Günther Uecker’s white nail paintings and Yves Klein’s abstract ‘fire paintings’. By focusing on these blocks of colour, the material qualities of the paintings are brought to the foreground and the dynamism of each artist’s singular approach is reinforced by the repetition of colour and technique.

In addition to detail shots and installation images, the catalogue also features an in-depth annotated catalogue for each of the works included in the exhibition.