Victor Vasarely, Colonne (Tower for 80th Birthday), 1987

Artist: Victor Vasarely (1906 - 1997)
Title:Colonne (Tower for 80th Birthday), 1987
Medium:Original hand-painted acrylic on wood sculpture
Image Size:71 in x 12 in x 12 in (180.3 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
Edition:Numbered 2/100 in black ink just below the signature in one of the green circles near the base; published by Circle Fine Art Corporation, Chicago and New York City.
Signature:Hand signed by Victor Vasarely (Pécs, 1906 - Paris, 1997) in black ink in one of the green circles near the base; countersigned on opposite side in green circle near the base.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-3628

Historical Description

This monumental tower was created in honor of Vasarely's 80th Birthday. Each optical element seems to be just as crucial as the next; the circles and squares in purple, red, blue and green combine to create a larger, geometric and minimalist work. The cross-shaped profile adds to this illusory effect, allowing the light to cast shadows across its edges and corners, breathing life into this tower as one views it from all sides. Discussing his thoughts on abstraction, Vasarely stated, "The celebrated transition from representational to nonrepresentational art is only one of the stages in profound transformation taking place in the plastic arts. The term 'abstract' in painting refers not to an established fact, but to an irresistible trend toward plastic creation different from the kind we already know." (Vasarely 1978, 13).

Created in 1987 from the total edition of 100, this piece is hand signed by Victor Vasarely (Pécs, 1906 - Paris, 1997)in black ink in one of the green circles near the base and numbered 2/100 in black ink just below the signature; also countersigned on opposite side in green circle near the base. This piece was published by Circle Fine Art Corporation, Chicago and New York City.

DOUCMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1. Listed in the Circle Fine Art Archives as no. VAS 114.

AUCTION COMPARABLES:
1. ~Sotheby's New York, April 30, 2010 Sale N08632- Lot 00340 Vasarely Colonne tower, Sold for $31,250.