Adolf Luther

Galerie m, Bochum

Private Collection (acquired from the above in 1969)

Acquired from the above by the present owner 

• A great example of the artist's work with light and reflection.
• Utilizes the iconic concave mirror technique characteristic of the Luther's work.
• A highly desirable, intimate format offering a powerful optical experience.

The present Hohlspiegelobjekt from 1965 is a precisely calibrated optical instrument that transcends its material components. The composition comprises an array of sixteen individual concave mirrors fixed to a flat mirror plate, contained within a clear Plexiglas box. This arrangement allows the interplay between the mirrors and ambient light to become the primary subject. The work actively engages the viewer, transforming the environment into a constantly shifting, dematerialized visual field characterized by dazzling refractions and multiplied, inverted forms.

This work stands for Adolf Luther’s known style and his key contribution to post-war art, specifically the international ZERO group. Its commitment to the manipulation of light as an immaterial sculptural medium is a direct articulation of the ZERO ethos, seeking to abolish the traditional art object in favor of pure optical energy and movement. The work's smaller scale underscores the efficiency of Luther’s technique, demonstrating that a profound investigation into perceptual phenomena can be achieved with modest materials, generating maximum impact through precise, mathematical calculation.

Luther's significance within post-war European abstraction has been continually reaffirmed. His work has been the subject of important recent retrospectives, including a major exhibition at the Mönchehaus Museum Goslar in 2012. Furthermore, his relevance is evidenced by the inclusion of his works in numerous major collections and thematic surveys worldwide, cementing his position as a pivotal figure in kinetic and light art.