Rita Simon

Spacescape

Artist: Bruce Nauman Title: Fingers and Holes (Black and White) Size: 30 x 40 Inches Medium: Lithograph and Screenprint Edition: Edition of 50. AP #7/10 Year: 1994 Notes: Hand Signed, Dated and Numbered by the Artist in Pencil. Printed by Gemini Gel #36.34. From the collection of Brook Alexander Gallery, NYC. Fingers and Holes, a captivating artistic exploration initiated by Bruce Nauman (American, born 1941), originated from a unique challenge he set for himself. Using his non-dominant hand, he drew his right hand, and vice versa, meticulously annotating each sketch with the count of holes formed between the fingers. This seemingly simple endeavor evolved into a profound study of algebraic topology, a mathematical field investigating fundamental properties of distorted objects, such as solids and voids. Nauman ingeniously translated his anatomical sketches into this abstract language. In this realm of mathematical inquiry, seemingly dissimilar objects transform into one another. A coffee cup and a doughnut, for instance, are considered equivalents due to their shared characteristic of having an unbroken surface surrounding a single "hole," a concept known as homeomorphisms. Nauman's deep dive into topology revealed connections between disparate elements, encapsulated in his statement, “Things that don’t look alike morphose one into another.” However, Fingers and Holes goes beyond mathematical intricacies. It delves into the realm of transformation—topological, visual, and linguistic. The iconic "three fingers, one hole" gesture, a symbol of sexual intercourse in what Nauman referred to as "kids’ sign language," served as a pivotal motif. This gesture reappeared in various forms within the series, including daisy chain formations and overlays on clowns' handshakes, which Nauman identified through his exploration. The clowns in Nauman’s work epitomize ambiguity, embodying a spectrum from humor to threat. Their double handshakes, simultaneously obsequious and aggressive, mirror the complexities of human interactions. Nauman found inspiration in this ambiguity, appreciating the clowns for their enigmatic nature. By integrating the "three fingers, one hole" motif into the handshake of his clown prints...

Artist: Daphne Mumford Title: Moonlight Medium: Screenprint Signed: Hand Signed Edition: From the edition of 200 Measurements: 30" x 22" Year: 1978 Note: This piece is sold UNF...

Artist: Jack Brusca Title: America Medium: Silkscreen Signed: Hand Signed Year: 1977 Edition: From the edition of 200 Measurements: 22" x 33 1/2" Note: This piece is sold UNFRA...

Artist: Rita Simon Title: Ariadne Medium: Screenprint Signed: Hand Signed Edition: From the edition of 300 Measurements: 26" x 34" Year: 1978 Condition: Excellent. This piece h...

Silkscreen and Archival Pigment in Colour on Deckled Edge Somerset Satin 410gsm Paper floated on a frame with 3mm Float Glass 44 3/10 × 30 7/10 in 112.5 × 78 cm Edition of 195 hand-...

Artist: Donald Sultan Title: Visual Poetics Portfolio: Visual Poetics Medium: Screenprint Date: 1998 Edition: 170/395 Frame Size: 19 1/4" x 19 1/4" Sheet Size: 16 1/4" x 16 1/4" Sign...

Artist: Julian Opie Title: Stephanie and Joshua Portfolio: Standing Couples Medium: Relief print with collage on archival Museum Board, presented in a sprayed white frame specified b...

Artist: Julian Opie Title: Carmen and Fabien Portfolio: Standing Couples Medium: Relief print with collage on archival Museum Board, presented in a sprayed white frame specified by t...