Helga Philipp

Kinetisches Objekt, 1971

This ring/circle motif appears in Helga Philipp’s kinetic objects, which are three-dimensional implementations of the interlinked-circles principle seen in her silkscreen prints. White circles of different sizes applied to a number of Plexiglas panes arranged one behind the other are reflected to infinity in a metal plate, thereby producing optical interactions in the eye of the viewer. In Philipp’s glazed image boxes, the vibrating optical effect is evoked by interference between misaligned transparent image layers. Deploying a reflective metal plate at the rear of the object allows Philipp to expand the picture space, intensifying the dimension of depth in the ring structure. When viewed from the front, it appears to be a curved structure, showing varying images depending on the position of the viewer.