Inspired by his experiments with Xerox photocopier toner, Whitten mixed his own formulations of dry powders, acrylic paint, and other chemicals to create Liquid Space I. Deceptively photographic in appearance, the workcontains three-dimensional ripples, folds, and streaks, suggesting a technological image made by scanning or with infrared cameras. Newly conducted analysis by MoMA conservators shows that Whitten submerged the entire piece of paper in water, then dried and flattened it, using actual liquid to create the illusion of flowing waves. Whitten declared: “Paper is alive. . . . Wetness as opposed to dryness expanded my interpretation of space as subject. Space became more fluid, offering the possibility of infinite dimensions.”
MoMA conservators present their analysis of this work in the exhibition catalogue. To learn more, visit moma.org/Whitten.
Jack Whitten: The Messenger, March 23, 2025–August 02, 2025
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Jack Whitten
American, 1939–2018 9 works onlineThe artist Jack Whitten offered the world a new way to see. He worked throughout his prolific career to reimagine art and its relation to society. Their final objective is political in nature.
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