Dieter Roth (1930-1988)

Reflections (Not in Dobke)

Foilblock print in colours, 1972, from the edition of unknown but presumably very small size, on smooth wove paper, printed by Harlands of Hull Ltd., published by ICI Plastics Division, the full sheet loose in the original beige paper wrapper with poem by Poet Laureate C. Day Lewis and justification, overall size 250 x 250mm (9 7/8 x 9 7/8in) (unframed)

The present lot was published by the plastics division of chemicals giant ICI, to show the potentials of foil stamping in fine art and graphic design utilising their new Melinex polyester film. Regarded as the one of ages the most experimental printmakers ICI's choice or Roth as one of the artists commissioned was ideal. A poem by the then Poet Laureate C. Day Lewis was chosen was the inspiration for the artist's, and Roth took the verse and replicated it in a typographic, concrete fashion. He alternated each letter in a different colour of foilblock intentionally leaving out occasional letters and words, the result is a staccato rendering of the poem, which whilst his version is incomplete is still entirely coherent. The foilblock technique whilst used commercially was rarely used artistically and it wasn't until Damien Hirst's use of it in 2009 with the Dead Series that is was seen to any great success.