Born in 1930 at Basle. Gerstner died in 2017.
One of the most important Swiss artists representing Concrete Art. His book »Kalte Kunst« (Cold Art), released in 1957, has been understood as being programmatic for Concrete Art and reveals his fascination for mathematical theories. In his pictures Gerstner concentrates on delicate chromatic gradation. In 1964 Gerstner and Spoerri were the editors of the famous »MAT edition«.
Plato’s Forest
1998
white paint, trees
Karl Gerstner is one of Daniel Spoerri’s oldest friends. And so it was vital that a work by him should be a part of the Giardino. Since Gerstner is above all known as a painter and graphic artist who employs the finest chromatic gradations, some planning for his integration into the Giardino had to be undertaken. Finally, he implemented a nuanced, sophisticated idea in »Plato’s Forest«. The partially white painted trunks of the pine trees do not appear to be in any particular order. Nevertheless, when viewed from a certain point, the white surfaces precisely display a cube.
