By means of a mainly unpublished sequence of oil paintings, prints and sketches by Josef Albers (1888-1976), the German artist and colour theorist, the exhibition traces the genesis of an icon of the twentieth century "Homage to the Square". In this series – starting in 1949 and developed for more than a quarter of a century – Albers analyses the interactions of colour in strictly square backgrounds of different sizes and shades, superimposed one over another. Adopting an almost ritualistic approach, the artist in this way explores the modulations of light and colour in more than 2’000 works, revealing them in motives, shapes and processes that are infinite and, at the same time, invariable. The square delimits the field of unlimited creative liberty.
The result of an in-depth investigation, this series illustrates the artistic experiences of Albers, developed during his years spent teaching at the Bauhaus in Dessau (1925-1933) and at the Black Mountain College (1933-1949). Contrary to any theoretical instruction, Albers encourages his students to learn from practice alone and to find their artistic and technical solutions for themselves. It represents a new approach, not just to the teaching of art, but also to the vision of artistic practice itself.
The exhibition has been realised in collaboration with The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, Bethany, Connecticut/USA.
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With the support of
- Città di Bellinzona
- Repubblica e Cantone Ticino - Fondo Swisslos
Media partner
- Corriere del Ticino
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