Beuys, Joseph

fat up to this level I, 1972

Zinc plates, traces of fat, pencil lines in three repeated elements, plus iron rod
each 135 x 135 cm (zinc plate), Länge 403 cm (iron rod)


Acquired in 2003

Acquired by the Friends of the Kunstsammlung in 2003 © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

With fat up to this level I, Joseph Beuys poses questions about the use of energy with almost minimalist clarity. A continuous horizontal line drawn on the surface of the zinc plates in pencil indicates the potential fill level of the fat, which is invisibly trapped as energy between the plates. Due to its easily changing aggregate states, this substance is particularly suitable for visualizing an energy potential. The fragile placement of the iron rod suggests a sense of floating lightness, which stands in stark contrast to the physical heaviness of the material. The object was acquired for the Kunstsammlung by the Friends in 2003.