Zerreissprobe. 1970.
The portcolio comprising 12 Color photographs by Klaus Eschen, title sheet and accompanying notes on the "Zerreissprobe" (leaflet) in an original cloth case.
Signed and numbered on the title page. Each of the photographs firmly mounted on a cardboard backing, where the artist confirmed the authenticity on the reverse. From an edition of 35 copies. 50 x 40 cm (19.6 x 15.7 in). Backing cardboard 60 x 50 cm (23,6 x 19,6 in).
Dimensions of the original cloth case: 63.5 x 51.5 x 5 cm (24.8 x 20.2 x 1.9 in).

Fachlabor Fayer Fotostudio, Vienna 2001, and published by Galerie Heike Curtze, Vienna 2001. [EH].

• Günter Brus was a co-founder of Viennese Actionism.
• Photo documentation of the famous performance "Zerreissprobe" in the Munich action space "A1" in Waltherstraße.
• "Zerreissprobe" is regarded a highlight of his previous works.
• Günter Brus was a virtuoso of body art and significantly changed the concept of its use.
• Works by Günter Brus were represented at documenta 4 (1972), 6 (1977) and 7 (1982) as well as the Venice Biennale (1980) and can also be seen in the newly founded Wiener Aktionismus Museum WAM, Vienna.

PROVENANCE: Private collection Switzerland.

In 1961, Eva Madelung, Alfred Gulden and Peter Nemetschek founded the "A1" action space on Waltherstrasse in the center of Munich. Their idea was to create a progressive, pioneering action space that would only exist for one year, but would act as a model for similar spaces in other European cities. During this one year, the venue saw 42 events of progressive, contemporary art movements that would not have found a location anywhere else in Munich's established art scene of the 1960s. For example "Entkernung" by Alighieri Boetti and Giuseppe Penone, or "Bekleidung" by the Arte Povera artist Luciano Fabro. Günter Brus' action "Zerreissprobe" (Tearing Test) also took place there, and is documented in this impressive portfolio of large-format photographs by Klaus Eschen. The pictures give a unique impression of the immediacy of the artistic performance. Viennese Actionism was also present in the “A1” through performances by Otto Mühl and Hermann Nitsch. [EH]

In very good condition.