Installation View 

Here we see an installation view of the work of Claude Rutault, a French artist whose work questions the nature of art and its place in the world. Rutault’s practice gained momentum in the late 1960s, a period of intense social and political upheaval. This was a time when artists challenged traditional notions of art, exploring new forms and concepts. Rutault’s work fits into this climate, and the paintings’ dependence on the architecture of their setting can be seen as an attempt to take art out of the museum and into real life. This piece engages with the Minimalist aesthetic prevalent at the time, focusing on pure color and form. But, it also takes a critical stance towards art institutions. By allowing the environment to dictate the final appearance of the work, Rutault blurs the line between artist, artwork, and exhibition space. To fully understand Rutault’s work, we need to consider the artistic and intellectual climate of his time, researching the writings of contemporary art critics and the manifestos of various artistic movements.