Guggenheim (Black)

In 1970 British-Pop artist Richard Hamilton was invited to produce an edition of 750 small-scale multiples of the Guggenheim. The intention was to produce vacuum-form reliefs in Perspex and offset the costs of expensive molds by creating a large edition. In the end, the project proved more technically difficult than anticipated. Of the three colours (black, white and chrome), only a total of 271 were realised, 106 in black.

The xartcollection was created in 1968 in Zurich, Switzerland by Sandro Bocola and three partners: Heinz Bütler, Rolf Fehlbaum and Erwin Meierhofer.

Xartcollection's concept was to industrially produce three-dimensional "Multiples" in limited and signed editions. The company's philosophy was to make Contemporary Art available to a large public.

Internationally renowned artists such as Max Bill, Richard Hamilton, Allen Jones, Joe Tilson, Peter Philips, Getulio Alviani among others others participated in this project. Most of xartcollection's "Multiples" were produced by the firm of Reif, Relo-Kunststoffe in Lörrach, Germany.

Despite its international reputation the company went bankrupt and was dissolved in 1973.

Perspex form, vacuum formed acrylic and spray painted black, 1970, signed and dated verso, from the edition of 106, although an edition of 750 was planned it was not fully executed, published by xartcollection, Zurich, 59 x 59 x 9.8 cm. (23.2 x 23.2 x 3.9 in.)

Lulin M3