The two kinetic objects on show, executed 1975/76, belong to the work period starting in the mid-1960s, in which a reduction to only a few moving elements mounted on a basic geometric form took place: On a white square background, black strips move independently of each other so slowly that it is possible for the spectator to capture the overall image that is always being created anew by chance.

The Swiss artist André Thomkins (1930–1985) ranks among the most extraordinary artistic positions of the postwar era. Living in Germany since 1952, he created – blessed with an exuberant inventiveness and the juvenile wish to become an »architect for fantastic buildings&laqu; – an oeuvre that in its diversity resists art-historical classification. Inspired by Surrealism, DADA and Pittura Metafisica, he produced quite traditionally paintings, innumerable drawings and watercolours, but besides objects made of everyday "trouvailles" such as rubber bands, buttons or newspaper cuttings. In addition, starting in the mid-1950s, Thomkins developed his own artistic techniques placing him close to contemporary Art Informel and Abstract Expressionism.

Our exhibition puts a focus on precisely these rather experimental works: A large set with 27 pieces of his so-called Scharniere, important Lackskins made in the 1960ies, a fine example of his Rapportmuster and some of his more discrete Rollagen show his very own artistic expression.

Exhibition in Berlin: February 24, to April 13, 2023