Mathias Schmied
The Void
2012
Die-cut comics
26 × 17 cm
Unique
Location: Paris, France
Arianee token ID
508776367
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About the artwork
Batman's face stands out in a complex network of geometric shapes. This network is cut into the thickness of several pages, creating a superimposition and interweaving. The empty boxes are reminiscent of the organization of comic-book vignettes, which Mathias Schmied has emptied of narrative. The superhero in the foreground is the only figured subject in the composition, and remains the last trace of the story that the artist has deprived us of. His face, too, has been reshaped to the artist's liking, but retains enough recognizable features to preserve the symbolism associated with it. Playing with popular culture, the artist offers us this essential figure, emptied of its symbolic substance and removed from its expected heroism.
Expert opinion
This artwork operates within the contemporary art landscape, specifically at the intersection of Pop Art and Street Art, by appropriating and transforming popular cultural imagery. The artist's distinctive approach to recontextualizing comic book material aligns with a broader trend of artists engaging with mass media and consumer culture. The use of die-cutting to create three-dimensional effects from two-dimensional source material demonstrates a technical skill that enhances the conceptual play. The market position for the artist is well-established, with consistent demand in both primary and secondary markets. His works are sought after by collectors interested in urban art, contemporary art, and pieces that incorporate pop culture references. Unique works, such as this one, typically command higher prices than editions due to their singular nature and direct engagement with the artist's hand.
About the artist
Born in Bern in 1976, Mathias Schmied is a Franco-Swiss artist who graduated from the Beaux-Arts de Lyon in 2001. His work explores popular themes, particularly those related to comic-book culture. The artist works by cutting out his compositions on paper that he has painted beforehand. This process gives his works a particular expressiveness, between the rigor of the cut and the energy of his supports, sometimes covered with spray paint. In this way, Mathias Schmied transforms our relationship with everyday objects, giving them a political, historical and poetic status. His work is recognized worldwide, and has been the subject of several acquisitions by MoMA. He has had numerous solo exhibitions, notably at the Musée d'art de Pully in Lausanne, the Galerie Estace in Paris and the Josée Bienvenu Gallery in New York. He is represented by the Parisian gallery Mark Hachem.
Additional info
Framed
Certificate
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