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Hans Rudolf Bosshard
Twelve variations on a dice theme / - The Musical Proportions of the Cube -

$1,863.51
£1,411.65
€1,600
CA$2,581.64
A$2,895.48
CHF 1,516.32
MX$35,182.89
NOK 19,254.69
SEK 18,254.80
DKK 12,182.03

About the Item

Hans Rudolf Bosshard (*1929 Balm-Lottstetten), Twelve variations on a dice theme, 1962. Portfolio with inserted cover sheet and twelve woodcuts on thin Japanese paper. Copy no. 2/10, sheet dimensions 61 cm (height) x 47 cm (width). Woodcuts each signed “Hans Bosshard” in lead, dated “[19]62” and numbered. - Portfolio somewhat dusty and bumped, sheets with very occasional wood inclusions due to production. - The Musical Proportions of the Cube - With the musical terminology given in the title, "Variations on a Theme," Hans Rudolf Bossard makes it clear that the twelve images are not to be viewed as a sequence alone, but that they interlock like a sequence of notes. The artist has also materialized the interlocking, which corresponds to a musical theme, through the semi-transparent, thin Japanese paper. When the prints are placed on top of each other, the lower sheets shine through, so that in addition to black and white, shades of gray are also part of the rhythmic spatial structure, creating the impression of a depth structure that is only revealed. The "cube theme" depicted on the title page as a complex and precise interlocking is presented in the graphics - in analogy to the music - as a visual sequence of spatial sounds. In this way, Bossard activates musical principles for the minimalist Op Art of the time, whereby his prints develop a special effect through the intensity of the black, since Bossard did not produce screen prints or lithographs as usual, but woodcuts. About the artist In 1944, at the age of fifteen, Hans Rudolf Bosshard began an apprenticeship as a typesetter in Schaffhausen, which he completed in 1948. Since then, typography has been a defining leitmotif in Bosshard's artistic work, both in practice and in theory. For 30 years he taught typography at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Zurich and published his findings in various textbooks: Technical Foundations of Type Production (1980), Mathematical Foundations of Type Production (1985), Typography - Type - Readability (1996), and The Typographic Raster (2000). As a visual artist, he initially worked in an expressionist style. However, the works of Richard Paul Lohse and Max Bill, which inspired him, made it clear that the geometric-mathematical conciseness already applied in typography held an artistic potential that Bossard began to exploit. Throughout his life, however, he remained faithful to the woodcut. "Not a single one of his compositions is speculative.” Hans Jörg Wüger GERMAN VERSION Hans Rudolf Bosshard (*1929 Balm-Lottstetten), Zwölf Variationen über ein Würfelthema, 1962. Mappe mit einliegendem Deckblatt und zwölf Holschnitten auf dünnem Japanpapier. Exemplar Nr. 2/10. Blattmaße 61 cm (Höhe) x 47 cm (Breite). Holzschnitte jeweils in Blei mit „Hans Bosshard“ signiert, auf „[19]62“ datiert und nummeriert. - Mappe etwas angestaubt und bestoßen, Blätter herstellungsbedingt ganz vereinzelt mit Holzeinschlüssen. - Die musikalischen Proportionen des Würfels - Mit der in im Titel gegebenen musikalischen Begrifflichkeit, ‚Variationen über ein Thema‘, verdeutlicht Hans Rudolf Bossard, dass die zwölf Darstellungen nicht allein als Abfolge zu betrachten sind, sondern wie eine Tonfolge ineinandergreifen. Das einem musikalischen Thema entsprechende In-einander-gefügt-Sein hat der Künstler durch das semitransparente dünne Japanpapier auch materiell realisiert. Liegen die Grafiken übereinander, scheinen die jeweils unteren Blätter hindurch, so dass neben Schwarz und Weiß auch Grautöne Teil des rhythmisierten Raumgefüges sind und der Eindruck einer sich erst enthüllenden Tiefenstruktur entsteht. Das auf dem Titelblatt als komplexes wie exaktes Ineinander veranschaulichte ‚Würfelthema‘ wird auf den Grafiken – in Analogie zur Musik – als visuelle Raumklangabfolge dargeboten. Damit aktiviert Bossard musikalische Prinzipien für die minimalistisch ausgerichtete Op-Art der Zeit, wobei seine Blätter durch die Intensität des Schwarzes eine besondere Wirkkraft entfalten, da Bossard nicht – wie üblich – Siebdrucke oder Lithographien, sondern Holzschnitte anfertigt hat. zum Künstler Mit fünfzehn Jahren nahm Hans Rudolf Bosshard 1944 eine Lehre als Schriftsetzer in Schaffhausen auf, die er 1948 abschloss. Seitdem ist die Typographie in praktischer wie theoretischer Hinsicht ein bestimmendes Leitmotiv in Bossards künstlerischem Schaffen. 30 Jahre unterrichtete er unter anderem an der Kunstgewerbeschule für Gestaltung Zürich Typographie und publizierte seine Erkenntnisse in verschiedenen Lehrwerken: Technische Grundlagen zur Satzherstellung (1980), Mathematische Grundlagen zur Satzherstellung (1985), Typografie - Schrift - Lesbarkeit (1996) und Der typografische Raster (2000). Als bildender Künstler schuf er zunächst in einem expressionistischen Duktus. Die ihn inspirierenden Werke von Richard Paul Lohse und Max Bill verdeutlichten jedoch, dass gerade die in der Typographie bereits zu Anwendung kommende geometrisch-mathematische Prägnanz ein künstlerisches Potenzial birgt, das Bossard fortan auszuschöpfen begann. Dabei blieb er allerdings Zeit seines Lebens dem bereits praktizierten Holzschnitt treu. „Keine einzige seiner Kompositionen ist spekulativ.“ Hans Jörg Wüger
  • Creator:
    Hans Rudolf Bosshard (1929, Swiss)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24.02 in (61 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Berlin, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2438215863372

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During this phase he wrote the manifesto-like essay "Principles of Supranatural Landscape" (1979). From 1981 on, Möbius concentrated on painting and searched for artistic ways to "treat intellectual and sensual perception equally in the fusion of representational and abstract pictorial elements" (Wolfgang Zemter). He found inspiration on his study trips to Thailand and Sri Lanka. "The pure painting of Jürgen Möbius flows through us as a timeless expression of memory and energy, ploughing our perception and bringing us the happiness of seeing authentic, immovable form. - Philippe Büttner Selection of solo exhibitions 1969 Galerie Würzner, Düsseldorf / Galerie Gurlitt, Mainz 1972 Städtische Galerie, Mainz 1973 Galerie Schloss Ringenberg Rathaus, Kleve 1974 Röderhausmuseum, Wuppertal 1976 Galerie Glasing, Osnabrück / Städtische Galerie, Herne 1977, 1997, 2004 Märkisches Museum, Witten 1979 Studio M, Bamberg / Staatstheater, Darmstadt 1980 Galerie Stolànovà, Wiesbaden / Mittelrheinmuseum, Koblenz 1982 Galerie Dornhöfer, Mainz 1984 Galerie Neumühle, Schlangenbad 1985 Landesmuseum, Mainz / Kunstverein, Ludwigshafen / Nassauischer Kunstverein, Wiesbaden 1986 Museum, Bochum / Galerie der Stadt Iserlohn 1987, 1990 Galerie Klaus Kiefer, Essen 1987, 2000 Galerie Ulrike Buschlinger, Wiesbaden 1988 Kunsthalle Darmstadt 1988, 1992, 1996, 1999 Galerie Leonhard, Basel 1992, 2002 Galerie Zulauf, Freisheim 1994 Galerie Remy, Vallendar 1995 Sendezentrum des Zweiten Deutschen Fernsehens, Mainz 2001 Collegium oecumenicum, Bamberg / MVB Forum für Kultur und Wirtschaft, Mainz 2006 Adam Gallery, London Selection of group exhibitions 1969 ‘International Graphic Arts’, Galerie Dalléas Bordeaux, Paris 1975 ‘Deutscher Künstler-Bund’, Dortmund 1979 ‘Man and man’s Images’, Märkisches Museum Witten 1980 ‘Love-Dokuments of our Time’, Art Hall Darmstadt and Art Association Hannover 1982 ‘Work - Progress – Position’, Nassau Art Association Wiesbaden 1983 ‘Principle Hope – Utopic Aspects in Art and Culture of the 20th Century’, Museum Bochum 1986 ‘Selfportraits’, Gallery Klaus Kiefer Essen 1987 ‘The Dying and Death’, Gallery Klaus Kiefer Essen 1989 ‘Where are You, Revolution – Freedom, Liberty, Egality, Fraternity to-day’, Museum Bochum 1990 ‘Flight – a Problem within the Memory of Man’, Kunsthalle Darmstadt ‘Art and War 1939 – 89’, House of Cultures Berlin 1991 ‘Material and Form’, Pillnitz Castle Dresden and Pfalz Gallery Kaiserslautern 1995 20 Years Exhibitions, Chrämerhuus Langenthal, Schweiz 1998 ‘Works on Paper’, Klaus Kiefer Gallery Essen 2000 ‘Acquisitions 1900 – 2000’, Mittelrhein-Museum Koblenz 2001 ‘Strange Pictures’, Klaus Kiefer Gallery Essen 2002 ‘10 Years Buschlinger Gallery’, Buschlinger Gallery Wiesbaden 2004 ‘Eternal Space – Pictures and Sculptures’, Dome of Bamberg 2005 Art Fair Chicago, Adam Gallery, London Selected Bibliography Mittelrheinisches Landesmuseum (Hrsg.): Jürgen Möbius - Neue Bilder, Mainz 1985. Kunstverein Darmstadt (Hrsg.): Jürgen Möbius. Bilder 1985 - 1988. Kunsthalle Darmstadt, 26. Juni - 14. August 1988. Red. Dorit Marhenke, Lyrik Marcus Schiltenwolf, Düsseldorf 1988. Gabriele Prusko (Hrsg.): Jürgen Möbius. Mit Texten von Philippe Büttner und Ralph Mieritz, Basel 1992. Wolfgang Zemter (Hrsg.): Jürgen Möbius - Aktuelle Arbeiten. Märkisches Museum der Stadt Witten, Bönen 1999. Wolfgang Zemter (Hrsg.): Jürgen Möbius. Flieger in meinem Zimmer und Beruhigte Zone, Bönen 2004. Dama Gallery...
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