Yves Klein's artistic legacy
International Klein Blue (IKB) is a pure ultramarine color. The use of this color for monochrome works is probably one of the best-known recognition features of works of art by the artist Yves Klein (1928 - 1962). With the help of the chemical manufacturer Rhône Poulenc and and the pigment dealer Edouard Adam, Klein developed the color from synthetic ultramarine blue pigments and a polyvinyl acetate binder, which which in turn was registered under the name Rhodopas M or M60A.
Since 1947, the color blue has been a central component of the artist's life and and work. The then 19-year-old Yves Klein shared the world and the universe with two friends on. One receives the earth, the other the air and Yves Klein the sky. In his monochrome artworks, he wanted to provide the viewer with an immersive experience. So how for he wanted the sky to shine blue in the most beautiful moments, so his monochrome artworks were intended to give the viewer a feeling of primal freedom.
Art in the building: International Klein Blue or Gelsenkirchen Blue
Werner Ruhnau (1922-2015) met Yves Klein in 1957 in a gallery in Paris. The discussions at this meeting are said to have led to have, that the German architect asking the French artist to accompany the artistic design of the theater building in Gelsenkirchen, which was currently under construction. This was for Klein's only public commission and he created four monumental reliefs for the project for . These represented the sky in the building, so to speak and are to be seen in connection with the architect's idea of 'air-conditioned architecture'.
for For the reliefs in Gelsenkirchen, however, not the classic composition of IKB could be used, as it would have been susceptible to fire. According to Ruhnau, Gelsenkirchen therefore used the city's water, Caparol-Binder and a German ultramarine blue pigment. Ruhnau therefore also calls the blue developed there Gelsenkirchen Blue and boldly states: "Klein became famous with our Gelsenkirchen Blue and not with his IKB." Since 2006, the heirs of artist Yves Klein have regularly gone to court, without success. Since then, Ruhnau has also used the recipe developed in Gelsenkirchen for own monochrome works.
Werner Ruhnau
Werner Ruhnau was a German architect and artist . He is best known for his combination of architecture and art, exemplified by the theater building in Gelsenkirchen, in which, in addition to Yves Klein, artist Robert Adams, Paul Dierkes and Jean Tinguely were also involved. His main works also include the theater Münster (1956) and the headquarters of Herta KG in Herten (1972).
In memory of the collaboration with Yves Klein
In our upcoming Auction at Mai , we are offering the artwork 'Klimatisierung des Raumes', a wire frame with plaster and in the familiar shade of blue, mounted in a Plexiglas box. The object is signed on the back and numbered (256/700) and with the words 'In memory of the collaboration with Yves Klein in Gelsenkirchen 1957-1960'. This small work of art perfectly captures the ideas of the two artist on to bring the sky, freedom and and nature closer to people and even into their homes.
Werner Ruhnau on 25. Mai in our large hall auction
We are particularly pleased to be able to offer this magnificent object by Werner Ruhnau in our hall auction on 25 Mai .
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