Jonathan Monk
The Puzzle
2007
In his works, Jonathan Monk combines joke and irony with precise references to the substantial currents of the art of the 20th century in a very personal way. Particularly the Concept and Minimal Art of the 60′s and 70′s are an essential point of origin for Monks own artistic work. Therefore he strip-searches the meanwhile canonical works with their demand on objectivity and the autonomy of the aesthetic object for a very personal analysis, which lends a subjectively interpreting note to the strict rules of the art at that time.
For the Twodo Collection of the NAK Jonathan Monk has developed a 24-parts puzzle, that has been manufactured in the format 2.20 x 2.95 m from rolled steel sheet. Put together, a closed rectangle develops from the puzzle parts, which reminds of minimalistic soil sculptures of Carl André.
Each Twodo member possesses at least one part of the puzzle as well as the artist, so that joining of the work is only possible in a joint meeting. The Twodos and the artist are in that way connected by the developed work beyond the duration of the project.