Dan Flavin

1978

Sculpture, 244 x 12 x 22 cm.
Materials: neon

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp (Inv. no. BK5966_M113).

Ed. 3/5

Dan Flavin ranks, along with Carl Andre and Donald Judd, as an undisputed master of American minimalism. Untitled consists of standard neon lights that are used as ready-mades. Flavin always employs finished industrial products to compose his sculptures or installations. Usually involved are fluorescent tubes that he assembles in varying ways. The fluorescent lamps do not undergo any sort of special handling or embellishment, they are mounted as they are and no component is hidden from view. This directness of presentation of materials is an important trait of Flavin’s art, namely reducing a sculpture to its essence. Untitled is a very spatial, contextual piece, and helps influence the environment it finds itself in. As a rule, Flavin’s work is mounted against a wall or is attached to it, so there is no question of a pedestal or frame. The impact on the surrounding space is major; the light throws shadows on the walls, blurring some of them while mixing with the room’s ambient light. When one gets used to the light the object then reveals itself in all its simplicity, and Flavin achieves this effect by the work’s subtle and precise positioning within the space.