Cercle de Feu, 1963/2009

Wall object: Burnt matches on round, bronze wooden plate, 50 cm diameter.

Dimensions: Ø 50 cm

Aubertin's first fire pictures were created as early as 1961, in which the Küsntler placed matches on a bronze plate. The sequences of matches, arranged in a predefined and geometrically serial manner, determine the visual display on the plates. The work is thus completed with the lighting of the matches, whereby the residue and discolouration resulting from the burning are essential to Aubertin's fire pictures. Between 1961 and 1968, further fire pictures and fire objects were created and, along with the nail pictures, are thus among Bernard Aubertin's most representative works.

Bernard Aubertin, born in Fontenay-aux-Roses near Paris, is considered a representative of the ZERO movement. He studied painting in Paris from 1955 to 1957, during which time he explored Cubism and Futurism. He created figurative works, especially portraits, landscapes and still lifes. In 1957 he met Yves Klein, and one year later he created his first monochrome red panel paintings. Aubertin initially concentrated entirely on the colour red (as an expression of fire) to create spaces of colour and light. His works are represented in numerous museums, and exhibitions have been held at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, documenta 6 in Kassel, the Vienna Secession and the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Nice, among others.