“Knoblauchtruhe,” crafted by artist Dieter Roth in 1971, is a notable example of the Neo-Dada art movement. This installation piece exemplifies the avant-garde and unconventional spirit of the era, characterized by its inventive use of everyday materials and its challenge to traditional art forms.
The artwork comprises a rectangular structure, constructed from what appears to be a combination of wooden frames and transparent panels. The entire piece is set on functional wheels, providing it with mobility. The top of the structure features a series of hooks or loops, giving it an industrial, utilitarian aesthetic. The transparency of the panels allows for a view of the interior, which appears to be a simple, empty space. The minimalist design and the use of non-traditional art materials play into the Neo-Dada movement’s themes of anti-art and the breakdown of boundaries between artistic mediums and everyday objects.
