Anton Stankowski
Warm/Cold, 1992
Acrylic on canvas
200 x 200 cm
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"The
Obliques" – from the 1931 Brochure to the Visual Objects of
the 1980s
With the diagonal, Stankowski brought his own element into his constructive
work, which distinguishes it from works by the Zuricher Konkrete, for
instance. He used it for the first time in his paintings in 1960. Yet
even before that, the oblique line in graphic design stood for new beginnings
and dynamics — or for a fall. Depending upon the color coordination,
diagonals created harmony or aggression in motion; depending upon their
position, they affected space in terms of height, depth, and width. Stankowski
developed the oblique from the rectangle, yet another important element
in his work. Obliques can be found in all areas of Stankowski’s
work: at first, in the deliberately selected diagonal perspective in his
photography, then in the diagonals in the trademarks — just think
of the Deutsche Bank symbol — to the rich variety of diagonals in
his paintings. Still, he never allowed himself to use the oblique line
as a simple formal element. It had to have a function, and if it did not,
then he could also choose the softness and joy of a curve.
“The Obliques“ – From the 1931 Brochure to the Visual
Objects of the 1980s
Curator: Stephan von Wiese
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Anton Stankowski
Diagonal Band,
Centrally Positioned
1960, 84 x 60.5 cm
Oil on canvas
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Anton
Stankowski
The Surface, 1979
60 x 60 cm
Oil on canvas
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Anton
Stankowski
Diagonals in Groups of Four
1985, 42.0 x 29.6 cm
Tempera on paper |