Tag: art books

Throughout his extensive career, which spanned over five decades, Latham established himself as a highly influential and distinct figure within the realm of contemporary art. Despite not aligning with any particular artistic movement, his contributions to various mediums such as painting, assemblage, performance, book art, conceptual art, and film were of great significance. At the core of his diverse artistic endeavors was a revolutionary worldview that challenged conventional systems of thought and showcased a visionary perspective.

Latham perceived the conflicts and struggles that plagued humanity as a result of ideological disparities. He believed that these differences stemmed from the absence of a singular theory that could comprehensively explain the universe and humankind’s place within it. His evolved theoretical framework aimed to provide a unified comprehension of existence.

By intertwining artistic, philosophical, and scientific concepts, Latham’s theory of “event structure” directly challenged the perspectives of scientists and cosmologists. According to this theory, the explanation for everything that exists lies not in the form of atomic particles and waves but in the recurring and finite duration of time-based “events.” The fundamental unit of existence, in this theory, is the “least event” – the briefest deviation from a state of nothingness. These recurring events establish patterns and serve as the foundation for reality’s structures. As events persist for longer durations, they give rise to more intricate phenomena, including objects, mental images, and ultimately, the entire cosmos.

Latham’s artwork serves as a tangible manifestation of these ideas. Dating back to 1954, his utilization of spray paint exemplifies the process of “coming into being.” This concept is visually represented through the accumulation of tiny paint droplets, symbolizing the transition from nothingness (portrayed by the blank canvas) to the emergence of form (highlighted by the burst of spray). These underlying notions can be observed in his earliest painting on display, “Man Caught up with a Yellow Object” (1954), as well as in later works such as the “One Second Drawing” (1972).

Since 1958, books have taken on a central role in Latham’s artistic expression—they are frequently burned, painted, and fragmented. Books serve as a powerful symbol of human thought and intellectual exploration. The way they emerge from many of his canvases conveys the notion of a human presence coming into existence. However, books also signify diverse systems of belief. A significant portion of Latham’s later works incorporate books alongside glass, a fragile material prone to shattering. Through this juxtaposition, Latham delivers a clear message: the imperative need for a unified worldview in an increasingly divided world.

www.ftn-books.com has the 1991 Stuttgart catalog available.

Albert in t veld dutch artistAlbert in ‘t Veld is a Dutch artist known for his striking and complex abstract works. Born in 1942, in the Netherlands, in ‘t Veld studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam before transitioning into painting and drawing.

In the 1960s, in ‘t Veld was influenced by the American abstract expressionists, including Jackson Pollock and Morris Louis. He was particularly drawn to the process of pouring paint and working with colors in an unpredictable, fluid way. This interest in abstraction and the spontaneity of the creative process would become a hallmark of his work.

Throughout his career, in ‘t Veld experimented with different materials and techniques, including acrylic paint, ink, and crayon. He also explored different styles, from minimalism to more colorful, expressive works. His compositions are often characterized by bold colors, dynamic lines, and layered textures. His works are fascinating and intricate, and seem to invite the viewer to look closer to uncover the many layers of meaning and symbolism.

One of his most notable works is a large-scale mural commissioned for the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. The massive painting measures over 225 square meters and is composed of 260 individual panels, each one painted by hand. It depicts an abstract landscape that incorporates elements of nature, such as mountains and waterfalls, alongside more geometric shapes and patterns. The mural took in ‘t Veld over a year to complete and is considered one of his greatest achievements.

Throughout his career, in ‘t Veld has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. His paintings and drawings have been featured in exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world, including the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the United States.

In conclusion, Albert in ‘t Veld is a talented, pioneering abstract artist whose work continues to inspire and captivate viewers today. His commitment to exploring the creative process and pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms has helped to cement his place as one of the most iconic Dutch artists of the 20th century.

www.ftn-books.com has an impressive leporello publication with steel coverts now available.

Sylvie Fanchon is a landmark in French painting. She was born in Nairobi in 1953. She has been living and working in Paris since the early 1980’s, after she graduated from the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris, where she was then head of a workshop from 2001 to 2019.

For 30 years, her painting has remained faithful to radical means and intentions, in accordance with a series of previously fixed rules: two-tone color scheme, flatness of the surface, absence of depth and extremely schematic forms. The touch, the gesture, the transparency, after having been eliminated in favor of quasi-abstract forms drawn from the world around us, become today close to the parody, the grotesque. Decontextualized, these familiar forms are difficult to identify: Sylvie Fanchon thus plays between the unknown and the recognized, between oblivion and the work of recollection, leaving room for a multiplicity of interpretations.

With around 50 artworks in public collections, Sylvie Fanchon’s work is present in more than 15 major French institutions including CNAP, MAC VAL, Pompidou Center, MAM Paris … and eight regional contemporary art funds. Sylvie Fanchon has also benefited from important monographic exhibitions at the CRAC in Sète (2015), the FRAC Franche-Comté (2018), the Espace de l’Art Concret (2019).

www.ftn-books.com has two important Fancon publications available.
 

Ettore Spalletti (1940-2019) was born in Cappelle sul Tavo (Pescara) where he spent his whole life. He began his career when Arte Povera was revolutionizing visual culture in Italy and beyond. Spalletti developed a singular, solitary voice and a resultant body of work that exceeds any movement that circumscribes an artist to regional or ideological boundaries. Spalletti’s formal vocabulary has always melded and balanced painting and sculpture, form and color, interior and exterior space. Each work is the result of a meditative but rigorous process of applying a layer of color at the same time of each day, to capture a specific tone that recalls an hour, a season, and the weather. 

Spalletti has been the subject of major international exhibitions over the last 40 years, most recently at the Galleria Nazionale d’arte moderna e contemporanea, Rome, Italy (2021);

www.ftn-books.com has currently 1 title on Spalletti available