Untitled 1953

This untitled work was created in 1953 by Karl Otto Gotz using ink on paper. The quick, gestural strokes immediately convey a sense of spontaneity, but look closer, and you will see a highly controlled execution. Gotz employs what is known as ‘controlled chance,’ in which he pours the ink onto the paper, and then manipulates the medium by blowing air, or tilting the surface. The inherent qualities of the fluid ink – its viscosity, its tendency to spread – are put into play. Gotz was deeply interested in the psychological effects of art. His use of spontaneous techniques, which tapped into unconscious creative processes, aligns with the art movement of Art Informel, which eschewed traditional forms in favor of pure abstraction. Ultimately, understanding Gotz's innovative approach to materials and process allows us to move beyond the traditional ideas of composition, and intention, and to appreciate the sheer energy of the work.