Feuergouache. 1967.
Gouache, smoot and traces of fire on white board.
Signed and dated lower right. 95,3 x 68,3 cm (37,5 x 26,8 in), size of sheet.

Otto Piene’s artistic path is strongly dominated by works in which fire is both part of or reason for the creative process. In various experiments and an ever increasing sensitive handling of the element, the artist attained an primal and new symbolic language. The center of his imagery is not occupied by the material or the own artistic style, but rather the energy value. "Superior, energetically charged structures – perceived and transmitted as force fields of design by simple means of universally valid natural elements – offer new and so far unexpected opportunities for the release of energies in art." (Transl of quote after: Hannah Weitemeier: Otto Piene Licht im Zentrum, in: Otto Piene. Retrospektive 1952-1996, ex. cat. Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf 1996, p. 19). With a short exposure to fire Piene lets the paint coagulate on the image carrier. After the fire’s out the new structure is fixated, thus nature’s organic becoming is confronted and taken to a synthesis with the artist’s controlled interference of different means of design. This "Feuergouache" conveys the very impression of energies that have just been released, however, the process of extinguishing doesn’t seem to have happened yet, it more seems as if the image was about to ignite. [JG].