Lot 199
Joseph Beuys (1921-1986)
The Orwell Leg - Trousers for the 21st Century (Schellmann 485)
Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000
Description
Joseph Beuys (1921-1986)
The Orwell Leg - Trousers for the 21st Century (Schellmann 485)
Denim Jeans with holes cut in the knees, 1984, signed on an attached label, the edition was 35, published by Editions Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris, overall size 1040 x 480mm (40 ¾ x 18 3/4in)
Note:
On New Year's Eve 1983, Joseph Beuys wore a pair of jeans with two round holes in the right knee and the left hollow of the knee during the performance 'Good Morning, Mr Orwell' organized by Nam June Paik at the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. Others also wore jeans with the holes in the same areas, including Beuys' daughter Jessica. With the beginning of the 'Orwell' year 1984, Beuys felt the need to use his actionist art to raise attention to the grievances that prevailed in the world at that time. The holes in random places in the 'Orwell' jeans symbolize free creativity that would in his opinion provide a social evolutionary solution. In this context Beuys said that he would wish for everyone in the world to cut holes into their pants to set a sign against the materialistically-driven society of that time.
Description
Joseph Beuys (1921-1986)
The Orwell Leg - Trousers for the 21st Century (Schellmann 485)
Denim Jeans with holes cut in the knees, 1984, signed on an attached label, the edition was 35, published by Editions Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert, Paris, overall size 1040 x 480mm (40 ¾ x 18 3/4in)
Note:
On New Year's Eve 1983, Joseph Beuys wore a pair of jeans with two round holes in the right knee and the left hollow of the knee during the performance 'Good Morning, Mr Orwell' organized by Nam June Paik at the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. Others also wore jeans with the holes in the same areas, including Beuys' daughter Jessica. With the beginning of the 'Orwell' year 1984, Beuys felt the need to use his actionist art to raise attention to the grievances that prevailed in the world at that time. The holes in random places in the 'Orwell' jeans symbolize free creativity that would in his opinion provide a social evolutionary solution. In this context Beuys said that he would wish for everyone in the world to cut holes into their pants to set a sign against the materialistically-driven society of that time.
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