Skip to content

Luis Camnitzer

Daros Museum Zürich

March 11–July 4, 2010

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

Luis Camnitzer, Installation view, Daros Museum Zurich (2010)

This Is a Mirror, You Are a Written Sentence (1966-1968)

This Is a Mirror, You Are a Written Sentence (1966-1968)
Vacuum formed polystyrene
19.06h x 24.61w x 0.59d in (48.41h x 62.51w x 1.5d cm)

Esto es un espejo. Usted es una frase escrita. [This Is a Mirror. You Are a Written Sentence] (1966-1973)

Esto es un espejo. Usted es una frase escrita. [This Is a Mirror. You Are a Written Sentence] (1966-1973)
Engraved aluminum and mirror
Aluminum plaque: 0.2 x 15.3 x 7.7 cm ; mirror: 35.5 x 33.3 x 0.2

Sentences, Adhesive Labels for #1 Mail Exhibition of New York Graphic Workshop (1966-1967)

Sentences, Adhesive Labels for #1 Mail Exhibition of New York Graphic Workshop (1966-1967)
Offset
4.25h x 5.59w in (10.8h x 14.2w cm)

Rubber Stamps (1967)

Rubber Stamps (1967)
Ink pad, and paper pad mounted on aluminum on wood
19h x 24w x 3.5d in (48.26h x 60.96w x 8.89d cm)

Living Room (1968)

Living Room (1968)
5.12h x 27.17w x 14.57d in (13h x 69w x 37d cm)

Library (1968-1973) Rubber stamp on paper

Library (1968-1973)
Rubber stamp on paper
20.47h x 27.36w in (52h x 69.5w cm)

Envelope (1967) Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)

Envelope (1967)
Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)
10 parts; 16.14h x 13.58w in (41h x 34.49w cm)

Envelope (1967) Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)

Envelope (1967)
Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)
10 parts; 16.14h x 13.58w in (41h x 34.49w cm)

Envelope (1967) Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)

Envelope (1967)
Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)
10 parts; 16.14h x 13.58w in (41h x 34.49w cm)

Envelope (1967) Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)

Envelope (1967)
Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)
10 parts; 16.14h x 13.58w in (41h x 34.49w cm)

Envelope (1967) Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)

Envelope (1967)
Etching with rubber stamp ink on paper; Editioned (approx.12)
10 parts; 16.14h x 13.58w in (41h x 34.49w cm)

Dictionary (1969) Etching

Dictionary (1969)
Etching
26.3h x 25.2w in (66.8h x 64.01w cm)

Dictionary 2 (1970)

Dictionary 2 (1970)
Etching
17.72h x 17.52w in (45.01h x 44.5w cm)

Dictionary 3 (1970)

Dictionary 3 (1970)
Etching
25.2h x 24.41w in (64.01h x 62w cm)

Horizon (1968) Etching

Horizon (1968)
Etching
25.98h x 24.8w in (65.99h x 62.99w cm)

Circunferencia (Circumference) (1973)

Circunferencia (Circumference) (1973)
Engraved alumnium
19.09h x 72.05w x 0.06d in (48.49h x 183.01w x 0.15d cm)

Self Portrait (1968)

Self Portrait (1968)
Etching
61h x 58.7w in (154.94h x 149.1w cm)

Shape Determined By the Connection of the External Points of the Text Describing the Shape (1972-1974)

Shape Determined By the Connection of the External Points of the Text Describing the Shape (1972-1974)
Brass object, engraved brass plaque, glass and wood; 13.78h x 9.88w x 1.97d in

Distance Representing a Time Difference of 0.00058504269 Seconds Between East and West (New York City) (1973-1975)

Distance Representing a Time Difference of 0.00058504269 Seconds Between East and West (New York City) (1973-1975)
Compass, engraved brass plaques, glass and wood
13.58h x 9.96w x 1.97d in (34.49h x 25.3w x 5d cm)

The Form Generating the Content (1973-1997)

The Form Generating the Content (1973-1997)
broken glass, engraved brass plaque, glass and wood
7.68h x 9.96w x 1.97d in (19.51h x 25.3w x 5d cm)

Arbitrary Objects and Their Titles (1979/2010)

Arbitrary Objects and Their Titles (1979/2010)
Found objects and pencil on paper on wall
Dimensions variable

Arbitrary Objects and Their Titles (1979/2010)

Arbitrary Objects and Their Titles (1979/2010)
Found objects and pencil on paper on wall
Dimensions variable

Fragmentos de firma para vender por centimetro [Fragments of a Signature to Be Sold by Centimeters] (1972)

Fragmentos de firma para vender por centimetro [Fragments of a Signature to Be Sold by Centimeters] (1972)
Black paint on primed canvas, wood, metal, and pencil on paper, laminated
17.72h x 49.8w x 0.98d in (45.01h x 126.49w x 2.49d cm)

Selbstbedienung (Autoservicio, Self-Service) (1996)

Selbstbedienung (Autoservicio, Self-Service) (1996)
Photocopies, rubber stamp, ink pad and seven wooden bases
Dimensions variable

Selbstbedienung (Autoservicio, Self-Service) (1996)

Selbstbedienung (Autoservicio, Self-Service) (1996)
Photocopies, rubber stamp, ink pad and seven wooden bases
Dimensions variable

Pinta Mural Original (Original Wall Painting) (1972)

Pinta Mural Original (Original Wall Painting) (1972)
Gray paint, pencil on wall and invoice
118.11h x 157.48w in (300h x 400w cm)

Pinta Mural Original (Original Wall Painting) (1972)

Pinta Mural Original (Original Wall Painting) (1972)
Gray paint, pencil on wall and invoice
118.11h x 157.48w in (300h x 400w cm)

Pinta mural original (Original Wall Painting) (1972) detail

Pinta mural original (Original Wall Painting) (1972) detail
Gray Paint, Pencil On Wall And Invoice
118.11h x 157.48w in (300h x 400w cm)

The Photograph (1981)

The Photograph (1981)
Black pen and b/w photograph, laminated
11h x 13.75w in (27.94h x 34.92w cm)

Painting Under Hypnosis  (1980)

Painting Under Hypnosis (1980)
8 photographs and 10 texts on paper, laminated
10.6h x 8.7w in (26.92h x 22.1w cm)

Landscape as an Attitude  (1979)

Landscape as an Attitude (1979)
Silver gelatin photograph; Edition of 5 with 1 AP
9.5h x 13.13w in (24.13h x 33.35w cm)

Fragment of a Cloud (1967)

Fragment of a Cloud (1967)
Black spray paint on cotton wool and acrylic glass
13.78h x 19.8w x 0.39d in (35h x 50.29w x 0.99d cm)

The Book of Holes (1977)

The Book of Holes (1977)
Silver gelatin photograph
11h x 14w in (27.94h x 35.56w cm)

The Discovery of Geometry (1981)

The Discovery of Geometry (1981)
Photoetching
29.92h x 22.32w in (76h x 56.69w cm)

Silence/Repression (1976) Ink on paper

Silence/Repression (1976)
Ink on paper
21.7h x 27.6w in (55.12h x 70.1w cm)

The Book of Time (El Libro del Tiempo) (1972/2010)

The Book of Time (El Libro del Tiempo) (1972/2010)
Candles and pencil on wall
36.02h x 77.56w x 1.38d in (91.49h x 197w x 3.51d cm)

Las Memorias del Agua [The Memoirs of Water] (1998)

Las Memorias del Agua [The Memoirs of Water] (1998)
Book and polyester
3.4h x 24.2w x 18d in (8.64h x 61.47w x 45.72d cm)

Fenster [Ventana, Window] (2001-2002/2010)

Fenster [Ventana, Window] (2001-2002/2010)
Books and concrete
27.56h x 23.62w in (70h x 59.99w cm)

El Viaje [The Journey] (1991)

El Viaje [The Journey] (1991)
Engraved knives and Christmas ornaments
5.12h x 69.29w x 12.01d in (13h x 176w x 30.51d cm)

The Optics Lesson (2010)

The Optics Lesson (2010)
Candle, light bulb, lens, and pencil on wall
Dimensions variable

Compass (2003) Inkjet print

Compass (2003)
Inkjet print
39.41h x 35.63w in (100.1h x 90.5w cm)

King of Hearts (2002)

King of Hearts (2002)
Deck of cards and 1 inkjet print, laminated
Dimensions variable

King of Hearts (2002)

King of Hearts (2002)
Deck of cards and 1 inkjet print laminated
Dimensions variable

Press Release

Luis Camnitzer
Retrospective
Daros Museum Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland

Luis Camnitzer has been until very recently an insider’s tip in the field of conceptual art. He may be considered one of the art world’s key figures in the second half of the 20th century. This solo exhibition, with some 70 pieces created by the Uruguayan artist between 1966 and the present day, offers visitors a close look at his work.

Luis Camnitzer was born in Germany in 1937, grew up in Montevideo, and has lived and worked in New York since 1964. He has made his mark internationally not only as an artist but as a critic, educator and art theorist as well. Formally allied with the American Conceptualists of the 1960s and 1970s, over the past 50 years Camnitzer has developed an essentially autonomous œuvre, unmistakably distinguished from that of his colleagues in the US by its acutely observed detail, its acerbic wit, its ludic-lyrical qualities and its ironically metaphorical polyvalence, as well as by its solid socio-political commitment.

The Daros Latinamerica Collection enjoys the world’s largest institutional collection of Camnitzer's work, and it is from that store that this comprehensive exhibition has been assembled.

Viewers were treated to a pyrotechnical display of intellect: an unusually coherent and principled corpus that is at the same time possessed of a rakish charm and poetic maturity.

Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue, published in Spanish and English by Hatje Cantz Verlag. In addition to a conversation between Luis Camnitzer and Hans-Michael Herzog, the publication also includes essays by Sabeth Buchmann, Antonio Eligio Fernández (Tonel), Michael Glasmeier, Maren Welsch and Luis Camnitzer.

The Last Book
The Zentralbibliothek Zürich, Zurich’s central library, has shown a project of Luis Camnitzer’s: The Last Book, a collection of written and visual testimonies in A4 format. Over 680 artists from more than 50 countries responded thus to the artist’s worldwide call to help create a legacy for posterity.