Artist
László Moholy-Nagy (American, born Hungary, 1895–1946)American, born Hungary, 1895–1946
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Light Space Modulator
Date1922–1930
PlaceGermany
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 9 15/16 × 7 1/8 in. (25.3 × 18 cm)
Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 1/8 in. (25.3 × 18 cm)
Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 1/8 in. (25.3 × 18 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Lucile Bowden Johnson in honor of Frances G. McLanahan and Alexander K. McLanahan
Object number82.1
Not on view
Explore Further
Department
PhotographyObject Type
of the first electrically powered kinetic sculptures, Light Space Modulator
included three movable metal and glass constructions on a rotating disc. These
reflective surfaces created a dramatic display of varying volume and shifting
shadow. The work expressed László Moholy Nagy’s interest in technology and
light, which he believed were the hallmarks of the modern era. Moholy Nagy
embraced photography as an extension of the sculpture, for photographs further
complicated volume by compressing the
three-dimensional form into two dimensions and captured light and shadow as
elements equal to the metal and glass.
ProvenanceVladimir Mayakovski, 1930s; Private collection, Paris, 1930s; [Allan Frumkin Gallery, Chicago, 1981]; purchased by MFAH, 1982.
Exhibition HistoryExhibited: "Moholy Nagy: The Evolution of a Photographic Vision," Wellesley College Museum, 16 April - 10 June 1985; Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 2 Nov. 1985 - 5 January; Art Institute of Chicago, 31 Jan. - 13 April 1986 (LN:85.13)
Exhibited: "Patterns of Influence," The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, Dec 15 1991 - Jan 26 1992 (LN:91.30)
Exhibited: "Finders/Keepers," at the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, Texas, from May 10 to August 3, 1997 (LN:97.24)
Exhibited "The Glass Canvas", December 10, 1996 through February 23, 1997, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in pencil, verso, right center: Moholy = ugly : // das lichtrequisit // Uum [?] fiber : // “ schwarz-weipz – gram [?]
Stamped in purple ink, verso, bottom right: moholy-nagy // berlin - chbg. 9 // fredericiastr. 27 atelier
Stamped in purple ink, verso, bottom right: moholy-nagy // berlin - chbg. 9 // fredericiastr. 27 atelier
Catalogue raisonnéMoholy-Nagy: The Photograms, 2009, p. 198-199
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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