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Lot 67^AR

Vassilakis Takis
(Greek, 1925)
Signal Lumineux 242 cm. height

The Greek Sale

26 November 2013, 14:00 GMT

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £50,000 inc. premium

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Vassilakis Takis (Greek, 1925)

Signal Lumineux
iron and electric lighting system
242 cm. height

Footnotes

PROVENANCE:
Alexander Iolas collection, Athens.
Private collection, Athens.

Executed in 1974-76.

LITERATURE:
H.-N. Kalas, Takis Monographies, Galilée editions, Paris 1984, no 167, p. 190 (illustrated).

An important work of the pluralist 1970s, Signal lumineux explores the integration of art and technology in contemporary society, bringing new authority, intelligence and sensibility to modern sculpture. Two slender metal rods solidly implanted in a circular base and affixed with lights and electrical devices manifest a fascination with the expressive potential of found objects and industrial materials that both defies conventional art media and appears to conflate them. Although the intangible and elusive combination of light and colour emanating from the red stop sign radically transforms the visual experience, the piece has a full sculptural existence even when unlit.

Doric in its noble composure and Ionian in its elegant simplicity, Signal lumineux radiates poetic energy to the surrounding space, evoking a world of archetypal cosmic symbols and mystical, spiritual meanings. At the same time it creates a sense of wonder and hope for the future, compelling the viewer to see things anew. As noted by French writer Alain Jouffroy, "when standing in front of a Takis's signal something inside us awakens, as if looking at a tree branch that suddenly taps on our window. His signals enchant us but they also create around them a void where imagination roams free."¹

¹. See Takis, Exhibition catalogue, Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris 1993.

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A Greek icon with depiction of St. Isidor from Chios. Tempera on wooden panel. Second half-19th century. 49 x 35 cm.

Vassilakis Takis
(Greek, 1925)
Signal Lumineux 242 cm. height