
Mathias Goeritz
Mensaje, 1958-62
Hammered brass and metal fasteners on board
24 x 36 3/4 x 1/2 in
61 x 93.5 x 1.3 cm
61 x 93.5 x 1.3 cm
The Mensaje series is related to Goeritz’s intention of making visible a spiritual experience without using Christian iconography. Goeritz's use of gold should also be correlated with the religious iconography...
The Mensaje series is related to Goeritz’s intention of making visible a spiritual experience without using Christian iconography. Goeritz's use of gold should also be correlated with the religious iconography of Byzantine and pre-Renaissance Western Christian imagery in which gold symbolizes divine transcendence. The punctured surfaces can be considered an ‘icon sign’ of a confrontation with tragic human existence. The Mensaje series are sought after for their non-objective and modern solutions and the uniqueness of their materials.