Attempt at Recreation (Three Drawers) 1971

Christian Boltanski's "Attempt at Recreation (Three Drawers)" from 1971 is a minimalist sculpture that questions the nature of memory and documentation. The work consists of a simple metal cabinet with three drawers, each bearing a label with an inscription. The plain, industrial aesthetic of the cabinet contrasts with the inscriptions, drawing attention to the potential for meaning contained within the closed drawers. This work is a quintessential example of Boltanski's practice, which often uses found objects to evoke powerful themes related to memory, death, and identity.