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Franz West — Venus von Willendorf: Ich will eine Villa im Westen Wiens
Franz West

Venus von Willendorf: Ich will eine Villa im Westen Wiens

1984

Franz West's "Venus von Willendorf: Ich will eine Villa im Westen Wiens" combines gouache and collage on newspaper to create an irreverent dialogue between prehistoric fertility symbolism and contemporary Austrian consumer desire. The work's title, translating to "I want a villa in western Vienna," juxtaposes the ancient Venus figurine with West's characteristically ironic commentary on wealth, aspiration, and the commodification of art and history. Through this material and conceptual layering, West employs humor and wordplay to interrogate modernist icon worship while engaging with Austrian identity and real estate culture.

Medium
gouache and collage on newspaper

🔨 Auction Lot

Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale

October 11, 2024

Lot 135

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About this work

Franz West, Venus von Willendorf: Ich will eine Villa im Westen Wiens, 1984

Franz West's "Venus von Willendorf: Ich will eine Villa im Westen Wiens" combines gouache and collage on newspaper to create an irreverent dialogue between prehistoric fertility symbolism and contemporary Austrian consumer desire. The work's title, translating to "I want a villa in western Vienna," juxtaposes the ancient Venus figurine with West's characteristically ironic commentary on wealth, aspiration, and the commodification of art and history. Through this material and conceptual layering, West employs humor and wordplay to interrogate modernist icon worship while engaging with Austrian identity and real estate culture.

Medium
gouache and collage on newspaper
Year
1984
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Figurative Sculpture, Austrian, 20th Century, Vienna, Bold, Playful appropriation, Figure, Mixed Media, Vienna cultural commentary, Conceptual Art, Pop Art Influence, Modern Art, Gouache And Collage, Postmodern critique, Installation Art, Newspaper, Austrian Artist, Contemporary Art, Playful, Witty, Figurative, Contemporary

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