The artist developed the geometric patterns in this series from his long–standing interest in the game of chess. Starting with an offhand drawing of circular forms, Orozco formulated a set of rules for their colors, which evolve and expand outward based on the L–shaped move a knight makes on a chessboard. The Samurai of the title is Orozco’s term for the knight chess piece.
The animation represents hundreds of manipulations of the chess move and is the basis of the print series. Orozco selected 672 "frames" from that animation to be produced as digital prints. The installation of the prints provides an alternative way of experiencing the variations: all at once, rather than frame by frame.

Gallery label from

Geo/Metric: Prints and Drawings from the Collection, June 11–August 18, 2008.

Medium Series of 672 digital prints with digital files
Dimensions composition and sheet (each): 21 7/16 x 21 7/16" (54.5 x 54.5 cm)
Publisher Gabriel Orozco, Mexico City
Printer Picto Bastille, Paris
Edition 3
Credit Acquired in honor of Lewis B. Cullman through the generosity of Agnes Gund, Jerry I. Speyer and Katherine G. Farley, Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Clarissa Alcock Bronfman, Robert B. Menschel, and also with the support of MoMA's Contemporary Arts Council
Object number 303.2008.1-672
Department Drawings and Prints

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