Here we have a large, stunning artwork titled "Radioactive Rastaplatz" by Patrick Nagatani, created in collaboration with Andrée Tracey in 1986. If you want a bold and evocative artwork to take your guest’s breath away, you looking right at it. The atomic blast calmly gets the crew’s attention.
The Polaroid diptych is #8 from a small series of 10, so rare as hens teeth. What a thing. The artwork is signed by both artists and dated 1986.
Here's some background information on this important artwork:
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Collaboration: Patrick Nagatani (1945-2017) frequently collaborated with his wife, painter Andrée Tracey (born 1948). Their collaborative works often combined Nagatani's photographic narratives with Tracey's vibrant paintings and constructed elements.
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"Radioactive Inactives" Series: "Radioactive Rastaplatz" is likely part of their "Radioactive Inactives" series, created in the late 1980s. This series features constructed sets resembling domestic interiors with figures seemingly oblivious to a red mushroom cloud visible through a window.
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Social Commentary: The "Radioactive Inactives" series is considered social commentary, using humor to explore American apathy in the face of nuclear destruction. Nagatani's personal history, being born shortly after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to parents who were incarcerated during WWII, deeply influenced his engagement with nuclear themes.
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Staged Photography: Nagatani was a key figure in directorial photography, openly constructing scenes for the camera with props and staged elements to convey narratives and challenge the idea of photographic truth.
- Nagatani's collaborative Polaroid diptychs with Andrée Tracey, such as those in the "Radioactive Inactives" series, are relatively unique due to the size and the direct positive nature of the Polaroid format..
Each Polaroid in the rare Nagatani diptych measures about 28” tall by 21” wide, for a total measurement of 28” tall by 42” wide. There is very light patina from the almost 40 years of age. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship UPS fully insured to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO Boxes). The diptych will be shipped in the housed matting or separately. Your choice. Free shipping on the amazing artwork.
Nagatani was bonafide trailblazer. What a treasure.
