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YVES KLEIN (1928–62)
The French artist Yves Klein is considered one of the most important figures in postwar European art. A self-taught artist, he studied Judo, Rosicrucianism, and immersed himself in the writings of the painter Eugène Delacroix. In 1957, Klein began to create the monochrome paintings of ultramarine blue for which he best known. Yet, painting was not his goal; it became “only an interval,” the means to an higher end—to his quest for the pure sensibility of the Void. Pure pigment, gold, fire, air, and water were only the prima materia for his vision of a future of absolute freedom, both artistically and socially.
book cover image
OVERCOMING THE PROBLEMATICS OF ART
The Writings of YVES KLEIN
Translated and with an introduction
by KLAUS OTTMANN
Paperback original, 232 pages, ills., $22
ISBN: 978-0-88214-568-6
Kindle/Apple Books edition, $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-88214-901-1
The first complete collection of the writings of the visionary French conceptual artist Yves Klein published in English translation.
Yves Klein portrait
 
Inherently fascinating, iconoclastic, thoughtful and thought-provoking, “Overcoming the Problematics of Art” is strongly recommended reading for those interested in the role and evolution of art with respect to social, cultural, and philosophical issues.
—MARY COWPER, The Midwest Book Review (November 2007)
It’s been a long time that I wanted this book translated. It’s a real masterpiece!
—SYLVÈRE LOTRINGER, Columbia University