1 of 4

Boris Gratry, Neptune, CH

About the Item

Boris Gratry’s abstract compositions share as unique a kinship to artists like Richard Serra or John Chamberlain, as they do with raku-ware, a traditional pottery used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Strongly influenced by conceptual art, specifically the radical Italian art movement Arte Povera, Gratry has devised a primary aesthetic embodied in the fight against consumerism. In transforming auto parts, one of consumerism’s most ubiquitous products, his works are largely improvisational; the outcome of a number of insurgent factors. Gratry hosts large happenings during which car parts, like hoods and doors, are set on fire and then violently cooled with water. This process of temperature shocking produces a number of reactions, from changing the object’s initial shape to altering its materiality, as well as making it susceptible to rust. Variations in temperature dictate the metal’s initial coloration, which is then allowed to rust before being embellished with gold leaf appliqué. Essential in Gratry’s work is the appreciation for the imperfection and evolution of each piece. The works could be described as beautifully tortured, but the most substantial artistic decisions are dictated by natural elements – the chemical and physical reaction to the fire, the eventual patina – which are merely coaxed along by the artist. Gratry’s axiom closely follows the Japanese perspective of “wabi-sabi” which is centered around the acceptance of evanescence and imperfection. The alteration of time is perceived as a benefit where the beauty of the patina will add value and charisma to the work of art as well as a unique authenticity. Furthermore, Gratry’s use of gold leaf to ornament his works, references “kintsugi” the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, thereby preserving and highlighting the breakage as an essential part of the object’s history. The golden scar is an emphasis for the passage of time, a rebirth as well as the beginning of a new cycle. Throughout Gratry’s work, an underlying idea of opposing forces challenges our notions of desirability. In using destructive force, an icon of mass-production is made unique; the banal, rendered exciting, simple, and beautiful.

Creator:
Todd Merrill (Workshop/Studio)
Dimensions:
Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Depth: 3.35 in (8.51 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Gold Leaf,Metal
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
2010-
Date of Manufacture:
2019
Production Type:
New Custom(One of a Kind)
Estimated Production Time:
Available Now
Condition:
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU905316630382

Antique 1850s English Victorian Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

White Majolica Neptune Platter Minton, circa 1865

$1,800

H 1.8 in W 14 in D 12 in

SCARFACE 1940 s French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

Fantastic early re-release French Grande film poster for Howard Hawks classic 1930s gangster flick Scarface starring Paul Muni and features an early appearance of Boris Karloff. In...

Category

20th Century French Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Paper

SCARFACE 1940 s French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

$7,085

H 63 in W 46.5 in D 0.1 in

MARILYN 1963 French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

Marilyn, the documentary narrated by Rock Hudson and created as a cinematic eulogy to Monroe who died the year before, traces Monroe’s early studio beginnings from inA Ticket to Toma...

Category

20th Century French Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Paper

MARILYN 1963 French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

$2,479

H 62.75 in W 45.75 in D 0.1 in

SALOME 1953 French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

Suitably opulent design by Boris Grinsson features on this first-year-of-release French Grande film poster for 1950s Salome, starring Rita Hayworth in the titular role alongside Stew...

Category

20th Century French Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Paper

SALOME 1953 French Grande Film Movie Poster, BORIS GRINSSON

$3,011

H 62.75 in W 45.75 in D 0.1 in

Funny Face 1957 French Grande Film Poster, Boris Grinsson

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

The beautiful 1957 French Grande Funny Face, by the renowned Boris Grinson. Funny Face is a 1957 American musical romantic comedy. Directed by Stanley Donen and written by Leonard Gershe, containing assorted songs by George and Ira Gershwin...

Category

20th Century French Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

Funny Face 1957 French Grande Film Poster, Boris Grinsson

$2,861

H 63 in W 47.5 in D 0.2 in

Tisha B’Av, Bronze Plaque by Boris Schatz, Bezalel School Jerusalem

Located in New York, NY

Boris Schatz Bronze Plaque In high relief, expertly cast bronze. Depicting bearded men on the floor of the Synagogue reading kinnot (sad poems / elegies),...

Category

Early 20th Century Israeli Decorative Art

Materials

Bronze

Tisha B’Av, Bronze Plaque by Boris Schatz, Bezalel School Jerusalem

$8,650

H 6 in W 12 in D 1 in

Original Watercolor by Boris Lacroix, France, Art Déco, circa 1930

By Jean Boris Lacroix

Located in Paris, FR

Original watercolor by Boris Lacroix (1902-1984) representing architecture elements, a boat and the seaside. Wall paper design from the Art Deco p...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Watercolor by Boris Lacroix, France, Art Déco, circa 1930

$2,154

H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.79 in

How to Marry a Millionnaire 1953 French Grande Film Poster, Boris Grinsson

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

1953 romantic comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable. Models Schatze (Bacall), Pola (Monroe) and Loco (Grable) come up with a scheme to get themselves rich hu...

Category

20th Century French Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

How to Marry a Millionnaire 1953 French Grande Film Poster, Boris Grinsson

$6,063

H 62.75 in W 46 in D 0.2 in

Dr No Original French James Bond Film Poster, Boris Grinsson, 1963

By Boris Grinsson

Located in Bath, Somerset

Boris Grinsson's artwork that features on the original 1963 first-year-of-release French Petite film poster is our favourite for the title, it’s also one of the rarest. A wonderful p...

Category

20th Century French Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

Dr No Original French James Bond Film Poster, Boris Grinsson, 1963

$15,055

H 22.5 in W 15.25 in D 0.1 in

Antique Print of Father Neptune and His Court by D Urville 1853

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique print titled 'Baptême sous la Ligne'. Original print of father Neptune and his court. King Neptune’s Court goes back many years, to when ships fir...

Category