(born in Lollar, Hessen in 1931)
“M” (aluminium relief), 1975, signed, dated mack 75, again signed, titled, dated on the reverse with a directional arrow, aluminium relief on wood, 26.5 x 28.2 x 3 cm

The work has been confirmed by Atelier Mack, Mönchengladbach (email). A certificate can be issued upon request for a fee.

The embossed aluminium plate of the relief “M” reflects light in induced refractions, with its shimmering, highly polished surface seemingly dissolving, whilst new structural elements continuously appear in front of the human eye. With his reliefs Heinz Mack invites us to step into a sphere beyond the rationally ascertainable, where reality is only visually perceptible.
According to Mack, unity in a picture can only be accomplished “by knowing precisely the function of each simple constituent; in the place of „interesting“ detail we substitute a completely insipid structural element that is only meaningful when it is related to the whole. In this way the structural element achieves its individuality, its unique significance. “This means: the only thing that can be destroyed is the structure as a unit, the greater form, not the elements it comprises, that which is simply manifold!
To me such an element of structure is, for instance, a number of parallel straight lines in a horizontal or vertical arrangement. The pattern of such lines is infinitely variable; the principle involved is the simultaneous and recurring sequence of the lines. […] Individual parallel zones gradually transform themselves from zone to zone, while at the same time they retain their distinct but mutual character– in this way they are brought into vibration. […] The dialectics of static and dynamic elements produce virtual vibration, i.e. pure, perpetually creative movement, which cannot be found in nature.
It is free of all suggestive illusion; it is directionless and therefore never finalized. Time cannot be actualized in it.“

www.4321zero.com/heinz-mack-eng.html

“Take one of my embossed, highly polished metal reliefs. If such a relief is properly illuminated, a fine light reflection hovers over the surface. It really flickers in the space above the metal plate. It may be just a few millimetres. But the reflection of light stands out from the material. It hovers over it and vibrates gently. This moment of immateriality, this intensity of experience is what I call: ‘a beauty’.”

www.zeit.de/kultur/kunst/2015-03/zero-kunst-avantgarde-heinz-mack/seite-2 (in translation)

“ZERO was blue, but also white – ZERO was light, but also black – ZERO was vibration, but also silence – ZERO was technology, but also nature – ZERO was nature, but also artefact – ZERO was for me the discovery of my inner code … ZERO was and is for me the beginning of a new beauty in an old, new world, in which we all live.”
Heinz Mack in: ZERO – Mack, Piene, Uecker,
published by Heiner Stachelhaus, Düsseldorf, 1993

“My sculptures are new objects in space, reflectors of light and instruments of movement. In their rhythmic structures movement becomes visible.”
Heinz Mack in: Dieter Honisch, Mack, Skulpturen 1953-1986, Düsseldorf 1986, Honisch p. 44