Grey paint strokes - Gerhard Richter 1968

"My method or my expectation which, so to speak, drives my to painting, is opposition. I expect that something will emerge that is unknown to me, which I could not plan, which is better, cleverder than I am, something which is also more universal." - On the Monochrome and Abstract Paintings - Gerhard Richter from 'Interview with Benjamin Buchloh', 1988

‘Grauschlieren’ (Grey paint strokes), 1968 – OOC 200x200cm

Private collection Gerhard Richter Archiv, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

(opposition: active resistance against the ruling majority)

“Grey is the epitome of non-statement, it does not trigger of feelings or associations. (It is) an illusion, like a photograph. And like no other colour, it is suitable for illustrating ‘nothing’. For me the grey is the only possible equivalent for indifference, for the refusal to make a statement, for lack of opinion, lack of form.” - Graue Bilder by G. Richter

Marcel Broodthaers - 'Egg shells and pin' 1965

Marcel  Broodthaers  ‘Coquilles d'oeufs et épingle’ 1965

Collection Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Bruxelles / photo : J. Geleyns / Ro scan

After the energy crisis of 1974, the flame extinguishes from the pipe. The second oil shock of 1979-1980 increases hopelessness. Mass unemployment, price increases and inflation lead to large-scale savings measures. Around 1976 the ‘punk rock’ and the ‘new wave’ stand out. The soft values of nature, peace and love make way for the hard aesthetics of the metropolis, chaos and provocation. 'Make love, not war' becomes 'No future', the long hair becomes short spines and the flower a safety pin.  Marcel Broodthaers appears to be ahead of his time!

(source: De Standaard Kunstbibliotheek; Van Marcel Broodthaers tot Guillaume Bijl)

  

https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/fr/la-collection/marcel-broodthaers-coquilles-doeufs-et-epingle

Emilio Vedova "Image of Time" - 1951

“Your actual duty is that of saving your dream.”- quote Amedeo Modigliani

 

Artist Emilio Vedova at work in his studio in Venice, 2003

"Abstract art has found the unexpected confirmation in atomic physics. All the material is dissolved in forces." - Dr. K. Farner, 1964 'Uprising in abstract art

 

‘Image of Time’ (Barrier),1951 – Egg tempera on canvas 130 x 170 cm, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/4142

Emilio Vedova, Plurimo nr. 4 – Absurd Berliner Journal, 1964 Wood and iron, 206 x 360 cm. (Artist collection)

https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/Emilio-Vedova

Van Gogh Vincent "Postman Joseph Roulin" - 1889

"In my opinion, I am often wealthy, not in money, but (not all days though) rich because I found my work. Something which I live for with heart and soul and that gives passion and meaning to life." - Vincent Van Gogh, The Hague, March 11, 1883

Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin - Ooc 65 x 54 cm. Arles: April, 1889 - Otterlo: Kröller-Müller Museum

 

"Now I'm working on a different model, a postman in blue uniform decorated with gold, a big bearded head, very sociable. [...] A more interesting man than many other."

Frantisek Kupka - "Story about Pistils and Stamens I" -1920

"If we search for the principle, we will see that it conforms to the principle of elementary life forms: the movements which expand and contract correspond to the universal rhythm of alternation and reproduction... in nature everything is moving, whether this can be observed or not." - Frantisek Kupka

Frantisek Kupka - "Story about Pistils and Stamens I" 1920 - ooc 110 x 100cm