Alejandro Otero - Latin America New York Wednesday, November 18, 2015 | Phillips

Latin America

New York Auction 18 November 2015 6pm

  • Provenance

    Inocente Palacios, Caracas
    Acquired from the above by the present owner

  • Catalogue Essay

    Formally and chronologically nestled between his Colorhythm series and later works such as Papeles Coloreados, the present lot represents an artistic period when Alejandro Otero began to experiment with assemblages: adding tools such as wrenches, saws, gloves, and chains to his compositions. These experimentations call to mind formal concerns as varied as Constructivism, Informalism, Dada, and Pop. In the present lot, Otero’s signature concern with spatial relations is still evident even if formally Untitled, 1966, is distinctively different from his geometric and constructivist compositions. Following the saw from tip to handle, it becomes apparent that much like he used color and lines in previous works, Otero here is employing a sculptural gradient: the end of the blade blends onto the surface, while the handle literally breaks out of the edges of the frame to jut directly into space.

  • Artist Biography

    Alejandro Otero

    Venezuelan • 1921 - 1990

    Alejandro Otero is an important figure in Venezuelan abstract and kinetic art. He studied and lived in France and returned to Venezuela during a significant moment when his country was undergoing modernization. During this time he participated in a large scale architectural project with renowned Venezuelan architect Raúl Villanueva that significantly informed his works. Primarily influenced by Piet Mondrian, his art denotes the notions of integration and architecture, as well as the continual experimentation with spatial and optical effects of line and color. His most important contribution to the field of painting is his series of Coloritmos (Colorythms), where he applies rhythm to color form, suggesting a subtle spatial ambiguity and insinuating a complex visual dance.

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53

Alejandro Otero

Untitled

1966
painted wood and saw assemblage
40 1/4 x 35 1/4 in. (102.2 x 89.5 cm)
Signed and dated "Alejandro Otero - 66" on verso

Estimate
$70,000 - 90,000 

Sold for $68,750

Contact Specialist
Kaeli Deane
Head of Sale
New York
+1 212 940 1352

Latin America

New York Auction 18 November 2015 6pm