Image from 3 Ton Folios (Drei Tonnen Folien)

Artist Joseph Beuys (German, 1921 - 1986)

Date1982

MediumDouble-sided photo offset lithograph

DimensionsUnframed: 16 1/2 × 16 1/2 inches (41.91 × 41.91 cm)
Framed: 24 3/4 × 24 3/4 inches (62.87 × 62.87 cm)

Credit LineGift from the collection of George K. Baum II

Object number2005.5.2 A,B

SignedSigned lower right of center on 'back' in felt tip black pen, drawn hat over the 'J' in Joseph

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DescriptionThis double-sided object shows, on both sides, a man reaching for a jacket. He is dressed in boots, jeans, and a fedora. The back side differs slightly because it is sigend with Joseph Beuys' name and an outline sketch of a fedora. Both images are in black and white.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

“I’m interested in the distribution of physical vehicles in the form of editions because I’m interested in spreading ideas.”

Joseph Beuys stands at the center of this image, his back to us, hammer in hand. He is looking at his Felt Suit, which he has just hung on a nail on the wall. To make 3 Ton Folios, the artist selected 40 images that documented his sculptures and Aktionen (performance pieces). He printed one image on each side of a soft, thin sheet of PVC plastic, varying the image combinations. Each image was reproduced a maximum of 100 times. The total weight of all the prints in the folios is three tons. The Folios are a reprinting of the artist’s 3 Ton Edition, 1973. To distinguish between the two printings, Beuys added a drawing of his felt hat to his signature in the Folios.

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