Untitled 1960

Jannis Kounellis created this Untitled work using paint to explore a symbolic language of signs and their potential for destabilizing fixed meanings. The stark contrast between the black symbols and the off-white background immediately captures attention, while the textures of the painted marks evoke a raw, almost primal feel. The arrangement of these symbols—crosses, numbers, arrows—prompts us to question their relationships and meanings. Do they form a code, a hidden message, or a deconstruction of language itself? Kounellis's use of simple, bold forms rejects traditional modes of artistic expression, instead opting for a direct, almost confrontational approach. This piece resonates with poststructuralist ideas about language. By presenting these symbols without a clear context, Kounellis challenges our assumptions about communication and representation. The symbols become floating signifiers, open to interpretation and suggesting that meaning is never fixed, but always in flux. Through its formal starkness, the artwork invites viewers to actively engage with the process of interpretation, highlighting the instability inherent in our systems of understanding.