León Ferrari: written images and heliographies

Among the earliest of Ferrari's works donated, the most interesting are those in which he explores the possibility of drawing as writing. These include The Crested Lark (1964), a written drawing forming part of a broad series in which León invents contoured calligraphies dripping with sarcasm and humor.

Ferrari used these to establish new possibilities for art as well as for writing.

The use of the copies enabled Ferrari to systematize the representation of the human figure who, multiplied in uniformity, seems happy to live by the rules of an anonymous system of power.

On the paper, the infinite number of men continually wind, in line, until they are lost, mimicking the line in his earlier drawings.

Some of these plans, which León describes as "architectures of craziness," measure up to one meter by almost three meters.

The Heliographies were reproduced in infinite editions that León would send by mail, clearly demonstrating his ambition to distribute his views as far and wide as possible.

Embroilment, entanglement, repetition and the profuse character of all Ferrari's work continue as a fundamental element.