Accession Code: wu0550 Title: Prototype Date completed: c.1959 Medium: Sculpture Materials: Wood, steel, magnet, fishing line, needle Height (mm): 217 Width (mm): 100 Depth (mm): 150 Inscription: Signed and inscribed Location Name: Picture Store Location Description: Location Floor:

Born in Greece, Takis made his first sculptures in 1946. He sought to bridge the barriers between art and science. Takis became intrigued by radar systems which depend on a magnet to function. He experimented with magnets which he hoped would make an object move forever. He was also interested in the connection between metallic objects.

In 1959 he made the first of the télémagnétiques sculptures in which a nail tied to a nylon string is suspended in mid air by the attraction of a magnet. Prototype is one of these experimental pieces, dubbed by Alain Jouffroy as 'Télésculpture'.