725/78 (Farbraum, Geist und Materie) 1978

This artwork, ‘725/78’, was made by Rupprecht Geiger. It shows two blocks of color. The upper one is a uniform, bold red. The lower, a gradient fading from white to pink. These hues were achieved through an industrial paint-application method – spray painting. This technique, widely used in commercial manufacturing, allows for the creation of smooth, even surfaces and the subtle gradations seen here. Geiger’s choice of color is significant; he intentionally used colors that would make his pieces stand out. Spray painting is a quick and efficient means of production. Yet, with Geiger's work, this seemingly straightforward process becomes a meditation on the interplay of color, light, and space, highlighting the materiality of color itself. By engaging with industrial methods and bold colors, Geiger challenges traditional notions of fine art, questioning its distinction from industrial design and everyday visual experience.