Untitled (for Atelier 17 Exhibition Poster)

Yasuyuki Kihara

Like the inner workings of a watch, the fine, precise shapes of Yasuyuki Kihara’s richly hued intaglio are layered with a mechanical delicacy that elevates lines of simple geometry to an objet d’art. Created to advertise a show of works by the students of Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17, the viewer is immediately drawn into the composition due both to its beauty and to the curiosity of its execution. The impression of the etched lines and velvety aquatint render the two dimensional work full of depth. It is an effective image for this poster, inviting those who are doubtful of printmaking’s place in the art world to peer just a bit closer, and observe the artist’s imagination at work.

Kihara printed these intaglio posters at Atelier 17 in Paris for an exhibition of the workshop’s output, held in Frankfurt, Germany, at the Galerie Daberkow between September 1 and September 30, 1971. Kihara had come to Paris from Japan to study with S.W. Hayter. His work was included in the exhibition and he did this poster from his plates to advertise the show.