Antoni Tapies (1923-2012) - Serie Negre

Artist: Antoni Tapies (1923-2012)
Technique: Libro de artista.
Signature: Fundacio Antoni Tapies
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of this series, the company Artika and the Fundació Antoni Tápies made 995 copies of the reproduction of the 15 prints of one of the most representative works of one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. This edition, in addition, allows to observe for the first time, in an unpublished way, the complete collection, since during the process of creating this book it was discovered that one of the sheets of the “Sèrie negre” was not in the hands of the Foundation. Technical specifications: Vídeo Work In 1967, Antoni Tàpies made a series of 15 drawings in which the most characteristic features of his work are discovered. The Sèrie negre, considered one of its most personal sequences and that this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, was conceived on brown paper, a support that allows, due to its roughness, to create certain nuances and reliefs that highlight the black colour, authentic protagonist of the series. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of this series, Artika and the Fundació Antoni Tápies invite us to know, with the reproduction of the 15 sheets, one of the most representative works of one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. This edition, in addition, allows to observe for the first time, in an unpublished way, the complete collection, since during the process of creating this book it was discovered that one of the sheets of the “Sèrie negre” was not in the hands of the Foundation. The prints have been printed on high quality handmade paper, specially made for this work, to achieve a faithful reproduction of the originals. Once printed, each sheet is die-cut and presented in a diptych that together with everything else form the Art Book of this exclusive edition. All the sheets on the back are numbered and bear the seal of the Fundació Antoni Tàpies. A folder with the artist's signature collects all the diptychs, including the Notarial Act of the work, which has been numbered by hand. The work is accompanied by a book of Studios, in bilingual edition in Spanish and English, which has abundant graphic material, reproduced in high quality, of the life and work of the artist. In addition, it presents unpublished texts by Antoni Tàpies Barba, son of the artist, gallery owner and writer; Xavier Antich, President of the Board of Trustees of the Fundació Antoni Tàpies; and art historian Pedro de Llano, who comments on all the pictures, one by one. All the elements are presented in a large-format case, handcrafted in wood and burlap cloth, a support according to the identity of Antoni Tàpies, and his passion for humble materials. On its cover, a detail of one of the plates and the artist's signature has been printed with black ink. The special design of the case allows you to enjoy the work and display Sèrie negre's drawings in multiple ways. This consists of two parts joined by a system of magnets: one of them houses the Art Book with the sheets, conceived as an exhibition frame, and the second part, behind a cover where a text of the Tàpies itself has been printed, contains the Book of Studios of the work. Production process:  Two different types of virgin cellulose make up the basis of this paper, made especially for this work, in an old workshop of skilled craftsmen. Once we have a uniform paste, it is pressed through rollers and a first piece of irregular paper is obtained. A specialist discards those who have no quality. Pressed sheets are laid out in a gazebo and allowed to dry three or four days naturally, depending on the humidity and weather conditions of the moment.  Once dry, they are flattened and checked one by one. They are then pressed twice, first through a manual technique and then with a hydraulic press.  Expert technicians adjust and correct colour tests, which allow them to modify the printing plates. Drawings are analysed and rejected if they do not meet the requirements. All the sheets are die-cut following the original, a process that is done using a manual system, a final detail that achieves the faithful reproduction of the 15 drawings.  Each sheet is glued with three glue points to its diptych. All the sheets on the back are numbered and bear the seal of the Fundació Antoni Tàpies.  All diptychs, created especially for easy exhibition and enjoyment of the prints, are stored in a folder that acts as an Art Book.  The two parts of the case are lined with natural burlap fabric, combining two colours, a reference to the materials that Tàpies himself used in his works.  Both the cover of this spectacular case and the text written by Tàpies have been printed with black ink on the burlap cloth, using the screen printing technique.  The two parts are joined by a system of magnets: the first one includes the Art Book, and also acts as an exhibition frame, and the second one, keeps the book of Studios. The cover of the case shows a detail of one of the sheets. An original design that offers many possibilities to exhibit and enjoy this wonderful work. Technical specifications Case Size: 41 x 53 x 13 cm Two parts joined by magnets: one with the Art Book, covered with a laminated glass, independent hanging frame. The second includes the book of Studios with a cover in raw burlap Lining: raw and black burlap fabric Empty weight: 14. 5 kg Diptychs and Folder Format 18 diptychs: 34 x 46 cm Folder Format: 34,5 x 46. 5 cm Paper: Tintoretto Gesso 250 g (diptychs) and 350 g (folder) Print: front and back in 1 ink (black) Sheets 15 die-cut sheets All of them glued by 3 glue points to its diptych Paper sheets: handcrafted 185 g Printing: with a 5th black ink Book of studios Size: 32 x 44 cm Number of pages: 168 Paper: Tatami White, 170 g Printed: 4/4 inks Binding: sewn and rustic Covers: double cardboard 350 g (back-glued cardboard on the front and back) Print cover: four-ink printed lining Bilingual edition: Spanish and English