This is a dangerous post. Yes, I have decided to accept Christian Pfaff’s offer to trade my „A Piece of Paper. Folded. Until Now.“ (2008) by Jonathan Monk for the multiple „Do It Yourself“ (1969) by Günther Uecker, provided that the Uecker is indeed an original.

Thanks to the help of Melanie Bono (see comments to the last post), I have now been able to contact a gallery in Germany who might be able to help certify the piece. I contacted them by E-Mail today and will give them a call later on. But let’s assume it’s an original for now …

What made me say “yes”?

Gut feeling, really. But since that would make a very poor and unrevealing comment, here is more …

Both works are editions of unknown quantity (although Jonathan guesses the number of “pieces of paper” to be around eight) and both offer a direct relation between the collector and the artwork. In Jonathan’s case the artwork reveals itself fully only after direct intervention by the collector, Uecker invites the collector to use the hammer for a similar purpose: make art.

The funny thing is that I have seen some of Uecker’s works in a gallery in Bamberg, Germany, without being impressed (see below, far left). This offer, however, made me have a look for more things Uecker had done and I found the TV and piano, which not only impressed me visually (see below middle and far right).

In these and others of his “nail-works”, the nails become almost like an organic life form growing over or out of such objects. I like that. The nails, pointed, hard things, become seemingly soft, which they actually do, as the fakirs’ beds of nails very effectively illustrate. This gives room to a lot of interpretation that could be read into these artworks. But I’m not going to do that.

I read that Uecker’s multiple “Do It Yourself” was the artist’s attempt to undercut the common notion his work was just a bunch of nails, hammered into various surfaces. One source describes it as his comment, “that, who ever wanted another nail work, repeating something previously accomplished by Uecker, should do it himself”.

I personally like the reduction, the minimalist appearance and the fact that in an emergency you can always use the artwork to either hang other artworks or whack it over an intruder’s head without damaging it. It’s also almost a reply to Jonathan’s “piece of paper” (and the characteristic reaction some conceptual art seems to get, at least according to contemporary art lore): “I could do that.” or, as it happens in the case of my mother, who keeps telling me when seeing what kind of art I collect: “You should do that yourself.” And she is right, of course. One has to do things. At least that’s my opinion. I’m looking forward to welcoming this reminder into my home. I’ll have it on a wall, beside my spirit-level and a spanking pedal.

Melanie asked my why I decided to trade a very contemporary piece for something from before I was even born. Easy: I like the concept, which, in a sense, makes “Do It Yourself” a more contemporary piece than some of the very decorative stuff you see at art fairs.

So, if it turns out to be an original (something we all expect it to be), this is my first ever art trade. For now, that is. Because, as you might have guessed, “Do It Yourself” by Günther Uecker is my next offer.

(To trade, comment or email: brem@independent-collectors.com)

PS: Check out Ueckers “Terrororchester”. I like that piece as well. Hardly any nails involved, though.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 3:29 pm and is filed under Duel Reports.