the historic level

by

Michal Martychowiec

 
 
 

Year

2017

 

Size

23 x 127 cm

 

Material

Neon

 

Edition

2 of 5

 

Price

on request

the historic level

The key work of the exhibition, the Limes that separates the aforementioned areas, is the installation the historic level: a blue neon lettering in the artist’s handwriting (‘the historic level’) hanging at exactly 78 cm (78 centimetres derive from a porcelain figure made by the artist of this height which is about the average height of pandas).

Note on the origin of the term 'the historic level'
The artist adopted this formulation from the Spanish historical philosopher and sociologist José Ortega y Gasset. Ortega y Gasset uses the term ‘historic level’ to describe the level of the overall population averages in terms of standard of living, education, work, and leisure opportunities, etc. He is explicitly interested in the sudden rise of the historic level since the 1880s. In doing so, Ortega y Gasset states the accompanying loss of beliefs that guarantee existential human security. (See the essays History as a System, 1935 and The Revolt of the Masses, 1930).

Other works of art in the exhibition

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Has Marcel Duchamp changed the world?

Name Has Marcel Duchamp changed the world?
Size 259 × 220 cm
Year 2014

the historic level

Name the historic level
Size 23 × 127 cm
Year 2017

Everything about the contemporary is panda: Piero Manzoni 1961

Name Everything about the contemporary is panda: Piero Manzoni 1961
Size 47 x 37 x 3 cm
Year 2016

After Wanderer above the Sea of Fog

Name After Wanderer above the Sea of Fog
Year 47,5 x 43,5 cm
Size 2020

The incredulity of Saint Thomas: Limited by history

Name The incredulity of Saint Thomas: Limited by history
Size 15 × 21 cm (excl. broken insulated glass panels)
Year 2020

Everything about the contemporary is panda (Bethan Huws)

Name Everything about the contemporary is panda (Bethan Huws)
Size75 × 100 cm
Year 2017

Shred of Turin

Name Shred of Turin
Size 29 x 44 x 47 cm
Year 2018

Everything about the contemporary is panda (Francisco Goya)

Name Everything about the contemporary is panda (Francisco Goya)
Size 75 x 100 cm
Year 2017

Everything about the contemporary is panda (Kazimir Malevich)

Name Everything about the contemporary is panda (Kazimir Malevich)
Size75 ×100 cm
Year 2017

Everything about the contemporary is panda

Name Everything about the contemporary is panda
Size 40 x 60 cm
Year 2016

The incredulity of Saint Thomas

Name The incredulity of Saint Thomas
Size 36,5 x 29,5 x 2 cm
Year 2015/2020

The incredulity of Saint Thomas

Name The incredulity of Saint Thomas
Size 76 x 61 x 3 cm
Year 2015/2020

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