HEATING UP THE PROCESS

Klein, Yves. Fire Painting, Untitled, c. 1960. mixed media, apprx 35" x 61".

Yves Klein began his foray into his famous Fire Paintings by igniting firecrackers that were attached on a canvas at an exhibition opening. This one, which was created in the early 1960s, made use of paint, water splashes, and of course a good flamethrower. The yellow paint is a naturally perfect colour for contrast to the dark browns of the burn. Klein is not just burning the canvas, but could be exploring the idea of deliberately "burning" or melting -- and therefore disposing of -- gold, or worth and value. Sounds masochistic.

While still about the beauty of the finished painting, the process takes precedence here: the power of hurling hot fire onto a canvas and burning your composition by teasing it destructively and dangerously makes for both exciting art and artist.