Vera Molnar (Hungarian-French, 1924–2023) 3 pliages, 4 Façons A, 2009
inkjet print
30 × 30 cm
signed and dated
Collection of Bre Pettis
PION.2019.001
Description
Created in 2009, 3 pliages, 4 Façons A continues Vera Molnar’s lifelong investigation into geometric transformation and systematic variation. Composed of four related configurations rendered in delicate linear form, the inkjet print explores how a single folded structure can evolve through subtle shifts in orientation and composition. The work reflects Molnar’s pioneering use of algorithmic thinking, where repetition, permutation, and controlled deviation become tools for visual experimentation.
Minimal yet dynamic, the composition balances mathematical rigor with an intuitive sense of movement. Each “pliage” (fold) appears simultaneously architectural and organic, revealing Molnar’s enduring fascination with the tension between order and instability. By presenting multiple iterations within a unified grid, the work invites viewers to consider process itself as a form of artistic expression.
I acquired this on my visit to Vera's studio in Paris in 2019, and the three-dimensional quality of it is delightful.