Jean Otth

Jean Otth (1940-2013) was a pioneer of video art in Switzerland. Even while studying art history and philosophy at the University of Lausanne and art at the Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne in the early 1960s he began to experiment with the then very new medium, making full use of its visual potential. Right from the beginning, Otth’s artistic trajectory, which still was influenced by the practice of painting, became closely tied to the emergence of new technologies. His works were soon exhibited in Switzerland as well as at major international shows, such as the 1973 Biennale São Paulo, the 1976 Venice Biennale, and the Documenta 6 in Kassel in 1977.

Throughout his career he mixed immaterial video projection with material reality, exploring their interaction. While constantly questioning the media he used, Otth produced borderline works that test the observer and provoke desire through covering-up, reframing, and shifting.

This new monograph, the first book ever available in English on this remarkable artist, features photographic and filmed works as well as his drawings from all periods of his career.

Text in English and French.