What a wonderful re-discovery! Made years ago (maybe 2019?), I just stumbled across it while doing archival work! This is SO MUCH ME at this point in time (end of 2024), that I decided to post it for sale! Its authenticity is…to the bones! It reads: LEBE JEDEN Augenblick, LEBE JEDEN Tag, LIEBE unendlich which translates into: Live every twinkling of the eye, Live every day, Love endlessly Made with metallic acrylic paint (Marabu wall decoration paint, no longer available) as a transparent base layer and opaque intuitive strokes. Professional Description, Analysis, and Interpretation: Image Description: The image displays an abstract painting with a vibrant composition of colours and textures. The background is a metallic green with dynamic, swirling patterns. On a smaller gold-coloured base, two prominent vertical streaks of blue and violet paint run down the centre of the wooden board, interspersed with red paint at the bottom of the golden base. The streaks have a gestural appeal, applied directly from the crucibles in a fluid motion. While the blue contains bigger metallic particles, the gold, violet, and red are more refined in their metallic shine. In some areas, the underlying layer of the greenish wood board is visible through the top layers, adding even more depth to the artwork with this consciously merely addressable layer. On that background, the words “LEBE JEDEN Augenblick, LEBE JEDEN Tag, LIEBE unendlich” (LIVE EVERY twinkling of the eye, LIVE every day, LOVE infinitely) can be seen, originally industrially printed as the message on this decorative item. Image Analysis: Background: The metallic green background creates a lively and energetic base for the image. The swirling patterns generate movement and dynamism. The gold, rectangular base for the streaks covers the majority of the letters printed but leaves exactly those needed to reconstruct the message after a while. The embedded, printed words, even though partially covered, add an even deeper meaning, considering that this was meant for decoration in kitchens and hallways and produced in a considerable number of copies for the retail chain selling it. Foreground: The vertical streaks running down the centre of the image draw attention. The gestural effect of the paints on a gold base that resembles the outer rectangular shape clearly identifies them as spontaneously placed expressive painting techniques. But the cut-off at the upper left part of the golden base communicates it was also a deliberate act, as this effect is only present when masking tape was used. Colours: The use of metallic green, blue, purple, red, and gold on an already green board creates a strong visual contrast and enhances the vibrancy of the image. The colours are bold and intense, amplifying the emotional impact of the artwork. These colours are all leftovers from a renovation process in the artist’s apartment, connecting it to the inner, most intimate world of the artist and showing a kind of efficiency in order not to waste valuable paints and putting them on a board ready for upcycling instead of being waste. Textures: The visible layers of paint and the mixture of planned, yet deliberate gestural effects give the image an interesting texture and depth. These elements contribute to the complexity and multi-dimensionality of the artwork. Text: The words “LEBE JEDEN Augenblick, LEBE JEDEN Tag, LIEBE unendlich” in the background lift the whole work to a philosophical and emotional dimension which wasn’t to be expected when approaching it. The message simultaneously makes it more accessible as it touches profound life topics and also a lot “heavier” in the long term, especially by the origin from a decorative item. The partial coverage of the words printed on the wooden board means that the viewer has to spend much more time in front of the artwork to decipher the message. Image Interpretation (not written by the artist, and therefore only as suggestions 😉): Emotional Expressiveness: The bold colours and dynamic patterns could represent strong emotions such as joy, energy, or even turmoil. The spontaneous but also thoughtfully planned application of paint might indicate an uncontrolled or impulsive emotional state within a controlled environment. Contrast and Harmony: The combination of metallic green, blue, purple, gold, and red could signify the contrast and harmony between different emotions or states. It might represent a balance between calm and energy, order and chaos, especially because of the rectangularity of the outer form and the golden-coloured rectangle carrying the more impulsive streaks. Ephemerality and Change: The gestural effect of the paint streaks could symbolise the ephemerality and changeability of emotions or states. They might suggest that feelings and situations are in constant flux, always changing, but all in a controlled, well-known, or well-recognised way. Life Philosophy: The printed words add a deeper layer of meaning. They could be understood as an invitation to fully enjoy life, appreciate every moment, and view love as an infinite force. The fact that the words are partially covered and the message needs to be reconstructed like in a riddle could stand for the difficulties one can have maintaining a positive approach to life in times where there is no obvious hold-on-to. Everyday Accessibility: Since the words come from a decorative item, this might indicate that profound and philosophical messages can be found in everyday objects and contexts and not only in art or science. It emphasises the idea that wisdom and inspiration can exist all around us, no matter what education, status, or wealth one owns. Conclusion: The work can be linked to topics like positivity, democracy, and resilience. It also features aspects of hope that need to exist as a reminder for these topics. It’s an optical asset by its used colours and a valuable source of inspiration for artists and viewers alike with its dualism of known and new. Artistically, it fits in with works in process art, gestural art, and conceptual art. Using a decorative item as the basis for the artwork connects the concept of Objet Trouvé with the everyday accessibility of the philosophical message. It shows how profound and inspiring thoughts can be hidden in everyday objects and how art can highlight and reinterpret these elements. The combination of spontaneous, expressive colours and the philosophical message in the background creates a multi-layered work that is rich both visually and in content. Significance of Objet Trouvé: The concept of Objet Trouvé (French for “found object”) plays an important role in art history. It refers to everyday or natural objects that are “found” by artists and incorporated into or worked-over to become artworks. This concept is closely linked to “Readymades,” which were particularly popularised by Dadaism and Surrealism, and where it served as a sculptural extension of collage. Marcel Duchamp was one of the first artists to realise this concept with his ready-mades like the “Bicycle Wheel” (1913) and the “Fountain” (1917). The Ready-mades are considered to highlight the element of chance and the playful nature of creativity, while Objets Trouvés emphasise the quality of everyday objects and lift them to art pieces by extending them. This creates a connection between the artwork and everyday reality, inviting the viewer to recognise the beauty and significance in ordinary objects.