Mary Bauermeister
Untitled (Auf Unbekanntes)
1978/1979
Optical lenses, glass, wood objects and Indian ink in object case. 73 x 73 x 12.5 cm. Signed and dated multi-line dedication '... Eure Mary Auf Unbekanntes ... 1978/79' on the reverse of the object case. - Minor traces of age.
The exceptional work „Auf Unbekanntes”, containing elements influenced by music, has a special provenance of private reference. The artist dedicated it to the clarinettist Suzanne Stephens-Janning, partner of the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen to whom Mary Bauermeister herself was married from 1967 to 1973.
This is a very significant autobiographical work in relation to Suzanne Stephens and the great composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. The work represents, so to speak, the “blessing” for the new relationship. Thus, a portrait of Suzanne Stephens is located in the lower right and scores by Stockhausen were included towards the upper margin. For Mary Bauermeister also see the informative conversation, in: Franziska Leuthäußer ed., Café Deutschland 1, Im Gespräch mit der ersten Kunstszene der BRD, Berlin/Heidelberg 2018, pp.99-130.
“Each lens box forms its own universe, a poetic field of tension which permanently renews itself and changes depending upon the incidence of light and the viewer’s perspective. At the same time, the artist does not shy away from allowing iridescence, the shine reminiscent of pearls, jewellery and treasure chests in her work. […] she creates glittering universes in which she sometimes conceals provocation, persiflage, criticism of the art market or riddles.” (Petra Oelschlägel, in: exhib.cat. Mary Bauermeister - Zeichen Worte Universen, Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders 2017/2018, p.51).
Inner lateral margins of object case inscribed by the artist a.o.: „Music Language of next higher dimension silence telepathy entrance through path of inner soul music of the spheres harmonisation of all beings and entities into one chord of oneness – wholeness and perfection …“.
Provenance
Gift of the artist to Suzanne Stephens-Janning, Kürten (partner of Karlheinz Stockhausen)