| Raymond Hains initiated his seminal matches series in 1964, while residing in Italy, inspired by Claes Oldenburg’s work at the Venice Biennale that same year. Hains began the production of oversized matchbooks and matches, which were shown at Galleria del Leone in Venice for the first time in 1964. The works were conceived as both free-standing and wall-hanging objects, challenging traditional forms of sculpture and painting. Both types of matchbooks feature in the exhibition at Galerie Max Hetzler, with two free-standing and five mounted to the wall, alongside four giant matches in bronze. Hains attributed this body of work to two fictional artist characters, “Saffa” and “Seita”, whose names derive from acronyms of the major French and Italian tobacco and match companies at the time. He cultivated the myth of the two invented artists in numerous exhibitions, signing works in their name and presenting himself as their agent. By humorously assuming different roles and identities in the art world, Hains questioned the status of the artist and how it was being instrumentalised by society. |
Temporarily open by appointment only. Special opening hours during Gallery Weekend Berlin Thursday, 29 April and Friday, 30 April, 12 pm – 7 pm Saturday, 1 May and Sunday, 2 May, 10 am – 7 pm Please schedule your visit in advance and be advised that you will need to present a negative corona test result from an official test centre, not older than 24h, upon entry. |

