"As Far As It Goes," 1986, from the "Equilibres" series
Gelatin silver print on paper under Plexiglas
From the edition of unknown but presumably small size; Signed and dated verso: Fischli / David Weiss
Image/Sheet: 11.875" H x 15.875" W


Provenance: Margo Leavin Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Corporate Collection, Los Angeles, CA

Literature: Peter Fischli, David Weiss: "Equilibres." Koln: Walter Konig, 2006. Illustrated, n.p.

Notes: Peter Fischli (b. 1952) and David Weiss (1946-2012), often referred to as Fischli/Weiss, were a pair of Swiss artists who began their three-decade long period of artistic collaboration in 1979. The works they produced until Weiss's death in 2012 defy easy classification. Though many of their works are conceptual, their oeuvre also relates to several twentieth century artistic movements such as Surrealism, Dada, and Pop Art.
The three photographs presented in this auction are from the "Equilibrium" series, which was produced between 1984 and 1987 and consists of about one hundred photographs printed in color or black and white. The subject matter of these images is a series of sculptures, composed of everyday objects, which have been stacked in seemingly impossible positions before being photographed at a moment immediately preceding an imminent collapse. The photographs featured in this series are the only record of these sculptures' existence, as they were disassembled shortly after being photographed.

Fischli/Weiss served as the representatives of Switzerland to the Venice Biennale in 1995 and have been the subject of numerous exhibitions at galleries and museums around the world, including the Tate in London and the Guggenheim in New York.

Generally good condition. A pea-sized, partial surface split, subsequently reattached, near the center of the lower edge. Two separate, delicate, hair-line scratches near the lower edge, the longest 0.375." A short and unobtrusive handling crease, visible only in a raking light, near the center of the left edge. Traces of a narrow line, with a sheen reminiscent of graphite, along the upper section of the extreme right edge. The upper half of the sheet lightly adhered to the backboard, not affecting the signatures or date, verso.

Frame: 14.5" H x 18.5" W x 1.5" D