On Kawara - Pure Consciousness 1998 - 2013

On Kawara created a new picture every day from January 1 to 7, 1997, painting nothing on the canvases but the respective date. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the first numbers that children learn. The conscious marking of a new calendar year and the childhood acquisition of new skills come together in "Pure Consciousness." For the Sydney Biennale in 1998, On Kawara left the bounds of the museum in order to show these seven "Date Paintings" in a kindergarten. Since this first port of call, the paintings have travelled around the globe under the title "Pure Consciousness." The artist dedicates the exhibitions to children between four and six, because it is in this phase of childhood development that a concrete sense of time arises. The pictures have turned up, without any accompanying explanation, in 21 kindergartens around the world, to then suddenly disappear again after a while. A booklet with installation photos and texts was made in the same format for each location. This series is extremely rare as most of these catalogues were produced in remote places and were not distributed. The facsimile is in line with the artist's concept.

21 facsimile booklets in carboard box
16,5 x 22 cm
Limited edition of 250 numbered copies