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Jiří Kolář — 6 farfalle aborigeno australiano
Jiří Kolář

6 farfalle aborigeno australiano

1986

Jiří Kolář's "6 farfalle aborigeno australiano," created in 1986, presents a mesmerizing collection of six butterfly forms meticulously assembled through the artist's signature collage technique on cardboard. The central focus immediately captures attention with its uppermost specimen, whose wings are strikingly composed of human facial features. Dark, piercing eyes emerge from a crimson background, topped by a textured, beige surface resembling cracked skin or an ancient mask. This unsettling yet captivating transformation of human anatomy into an insect's form exemplifies Kolář's mastery of re-contextualization. Around this dominant image, a diverse array of other butterflies unfolds. The large central butterfly shares the intense red, adorned with bold white and black patterns, while smaller companions range from a vibrant yellow with leopard-like spots to a delicate blue-patterned form, and two others featuring intricate linear textures on their wings. Each creature, born from disparate photographic fragments, invites close inspection, revealing the surprising origins of its new, chimeric identity. Kolář, a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, consistently challenged conventional notions of representation and perception through his innovative collage methods. In this work, the seemingly straightforward depiction of butterflies becomes a profound meditation on metamorphosis and the construction of meaning. The Italian title, "6 Australian Aboriginal Butterflies," introduces a compelling conceptual layer, inviting viewers to consider the interplay between natural forms, cultural symbolism, and the artist's interpretative lens. While not a literal depiction of Aboriginal art, the title hints at a primal connection to pattern, myth, or perhaps the idea of a re-imagined, deeply rooted aesthetic. Through the fragmentation and recombination of images, Kolář dissolves boundaries between the organic and the man-made, the familiar and the surreal. This piece stands as a testament to his intellectual rigor and visual inventiveness, offering a sophisticated exploration of identity and transformation that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences and discerning collectors.

Medium
Collage on cardboard

🔨 Auction Lot

Martini Studio d'Arte: Modern & Contemporary Art (December 2018)

December 20, 2018

Estimate: €2,000 to €3,000

Lot 37

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About this work

Jiří Kolář, 6 farfalle aborigeno australiano, 1986

Jiří Kolář's "6 farfalle aborigeno australiano," created in 1986, presents a mesmerizing collection of six butterfly forms meticulously assembled through the artist's signature collage technique on cardboard. The central focus immediately captures attention with its uppermost specimen, whose wings are strikingly composed of human facial features. Dark, piercing eyes emerge from a crimson background, topped by a textured, beige surface resembling cracked skin or an ancient mask. This unsettling yet captivating transformation of human anatomy into an insect's form exemplifies Kolář's mastery of re-contextualization. Around this dominant image, a diverse array of other butterflies unfolds. The large central butterfly shares the intense red, adorned with bold white and black patterns, while smaller companions range from a vibrant yellow with leopard-like spots to a delicate blue-patterned form, and two others featuring intricate linear textures on their wings. Each creature, born from disparate photographic fragments, invites close inspection, revealing the surprising origins of its new, chimeric identity. Kolář, a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, consistently challenged conventional notions of representation and perception through his innovative collage methods. In this work, the seemingly straightforward depiction of butterflies becomes a profound meditation on metamorphosis and the construction of meaning. The Italian title, "6 Australian Aboriginal Butterflies," introduces a compelling conceptual layer, inviting viewers to consider the interplay between natural forms, cultural symbolism, and the artist's interpretative lens. While not a literal depiction of Aboriginal art, the title hints at a primal connection to pattern, myth, or perhaps the idea of a re-imagined, deeply rooted aesthetic. Through the fragmentation and recombination of images, Kolář dissolves boundaries between the organic and the man-made, the familiar and the surreal. This piece stands as a testament to his intellectual rigor and visual inventiveness, offering a sophisticated exploration of identity and transformation that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences and discerning collectors.

Medium
Collage on cardboard
Year
1986
Seen at
Martini Studio d'Arte

Related themes

Red and Black, 20th Century, Avant Garde, Cultural Encounter, Conceptual, Cardboard Support, Male Artist, Mixed Media, Czech Artist, Butterfly, Collage, Pattern And Texture, Metamorphosis, Identity Theme, European, Nature, Entomology, Human Form, Surrealist, Works On Paper, Vibrant Color, Figurative

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