NICOLAS SCHÖFFER

BIOGRAPHY

Nicolas Schöffer (19361992) was a Hungarian-born French artist best known for exploring cybernetic theories and dynamism in art, by expanding static three-dimensional sculptural forms into the forth dimension of time and motion from mid 1950s, as well as creating kinetic sculptural compositions exploring mechanical movement, light and sound throughout the 1960s. Schöffer built moving mechanisms and small rotation devises with screens and mirrors on time loops, and audio accompaniments which transformed the viewer’s experience of his sculptures through continuously changing visual light effects, fields of colour and intensity of sound. These innovative kinetic sculptures in great part gave rise to future art technologies and concerns with dynamic artistic spaces by which we are so stimulated today.

Sculpture cinétique motorisé

Sculpture cinétique motorisé, 1969

Stainless steel, chrome polished

H: 22, Ø: 20 cm / H: 8 2/3, Ø: 7¾ in

Lumino

Lumino, 1968

Light Installation, metal, motor, plexiglas

24 x 26 x 22 cm / 9½ x 10¼ x 8 in

Édition Maison Philips

Minieffet

Minieffet II, 1969

Light Installation, metal, plexiglas, motor

23.5 x 15 x 15 cm / 9¼ x 6 x 6 in

Édition Denise René, Paris