12/2010 2010

Joachim Bandau created this artwork, 12/2010, in Germany by layering translucent paper. The effect is one of depth, but also of obfuscation, the movement inwards ultimately obscured by an impenetrable black square. Bandau's abstraction, composed of geometric forms, reflects a desire to break free from the strictures of traditional representation and explore the fundamental elements of art. Made in 2010, the piece can be seen in the context of globalization, in which artists explore the local dimensions of global flows of information and capital, while using an international visual language. As a sculptor and draughtsman who has been exhibiting since the 1960s, Bandau has been represented by various institutions, and his work has been collected by museums, galleries, and private collectors. To fully appreciate the meaning of this artwork, one can consult catalogs, reviews, and interviews with the artist. We can then better understand its cultural significance in relation to the German art world and the international circulation of abstract art.