Scotch Magic Tape | UNIQUE, 2021

Katherine Bernhardt   Famous Artists

A very special edition of 50, using a different color combination for each print. The artist has deliberately included random results and unplanned incidents during printing in the artistic process. The result was 50 unique works, each with its own background color.

For Bernhardt this way of print-making has a close approximation to her intuitive studio practice, where chance is favored over the mechanical and the pre-planned.

Scotch Magic Tape is a print by Katherine Bernhardt that was executed as a one-of-a-kind color piece. Given the numerous color variations, Bernhardt was less drawn to a single version than to the misinscriptions, color smudges, paint splatters, and other unforeseen incidents that occurred during the proofing process. They were so appealing to Bernhardt that she decided to include them in the complete edition. She asked the printer to choose colors relatively arbitrarily and allow the same unplanned marks that would occur in a simple proof. The end result is a series of 50 unique prints. For Bernhardt, this way of making a print is very close to her studio practice and instinct for making images, where chance and the random are preferred over the mechanical and pre-planned. Edition of 50 unique pieces. Variable colors of 5 plates, printed on Somerset Tub Sized Satin Radiant White 410gsm. David Zwirner opened his first exhibition with Katherine Bernhardt in London on June 2022.

Katherine Bernhardt, a renowned contemporary artist, challenges the conventional notions of art and aesthetics through her vibrant and thought-provoking creations. In her latest artwork titled “Blue Tape," Bernhardt immerses us in a mesmerizing exploration of the mundane, turning a humble scotch tape dispenser into a captivating visual experience.

The artwork is predominantly composed of shades of blue, reminiscent of a clear sky on a crisp morning. Bernhardt's use of this color palette sets a tranquil and serene tone, inviting viewers to engage with the piece on a deeper level. The choice of blue also aligns with the tape dispenser's association with practicality and everyday functionality.

At first glance, the scotch tape dispenser appears to be suspended in mid-air, as if defying the laws of gravity. This surreal element introduces an element of surprise and intrigue, compelling viewers to question the boundaries between reality and illusion. Katherine Bernhardt skillfully creates this illusion by employing delicate strings, almost invisible to the naked eye, which provide the necessary support for the tape dispenser.

Upon closer inspection, the tape dispenser itself emerges as a focal point. Bernhardt meticulously renders its details, emphasizing its utilitarian nature. The fine lines and contours of the dispenser's design are masterfully captured, hinting at Bernhardt's meticulous attention to detail.

Beyond the physical representation, “Scotch Tape" evokes broader conceptual implications. By transforming an everyday object into an artistic artifact, Bernhardt prompts viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of value and significance. The scotch tape dispenser, an item commonly overlooked in our daily lives, becomes a symbol of artistic transcendence, reminding us that beauty and meaning can be found even in the most ordinary of objects.

Bernhardt's choice to isolate the tape dispenser in a gallery setting further amplifies its significance, as it removes the artwork from its original.