Striped Picture 1965

Charlotte Posenenske created this drawing, "Striped Picture," using felt tip pens on paper. The apparent simplicity of this image belies the radical and challenging nature of Posenenske's practice. Working in Germany during the 1960s, she produced minimalist sculptures and drawings that engaged with the social and political context of postwar Europe. Note the serial, repetitive character of the stripes; it's reminiscent of industrial processes, and reflects her interest in mass production. Posenenske was deeply critical of the art market and its tendency to commodify artistic expression, so she sought to democratize art by creating works that could be easily reproduced and widely distributed. Her focus on accessibility extended to her own artistic role. She eventually abandoned art altogether, choosing instead to work as a sociologist, believing that social action could affect greater change than art. To fully appreciate Posenenske's work, we need to look at her writings, statements, and the historical context in which she was working. Understanding the institutions she critiqued helps us understand the social role she envisioned for art.