Dieter Roth, Richard Hamilton: Collaborations. Relations - Confrontations

by Dieter Roth, Richard Hamilton, Vicente Todoli

Richard Hamilton first made contact with Dieter Roth in 1961, having seen some of his books the previous year. From then until Roth's death in 1998, the two artists collaborated on numerous projects as well as developing a close friendship based on mutual admiration for each other's work. Their personalities and approaches to art were in many ways totally different, but this, no doubt, was part of the attraction. For Roth the collaborations were always a challenge, a fightalbeit friendly. Hamilton saw them as joyrides, full of surprises, in which he was carried along by Roth's "meticulous dexterity" and "creative energy." Their collaborations included The Copley Book, Collaborations of Ch. Rotham, Interfaces , and Intercases , which are among the pieces reproduced here in full color. 750 color illustrations.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Dieter Roth (April 21, 1930 – June 5, 1998) was a Swiss artist best known for his artist's books, editioned prints, sculptures, and works made of found materials, including rotting food stuffs. He was also known as Dieter Rot and Diter Rot.

The dark undertone and furious, obsessive energy of his work ultimately separated him from many of the more lighthearted Fluxus artists. Perhaps despite himself, he was a fluent draftsman and expert printmaker, and his drawings and prints contained his wild energy within peculiarly virtuosic forms. Compared to the innumerable self-described artists of the last several decades who faked their way through his sort of work, Mr. Roth was the genuine item.

Reviews

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catalogues like this are documents of ideas as well as an exhibition. Interesting to know that Richard Hamilton initiated correspondence with Dieter Roth, and that this correspondence grew to collaboration. But, I wonder, if the two artists pretty much kept their own strong identities during the collaborations themselves. Maybe this is always how it is?