Donald Judd's Swiss works mark a significant phase in his exploration of color, form, and industrial fabrication techniques. A pivotal moment in Judd's career came in 1984 when he began collaborating with Lehni AG, a Swiss manufacturer known for their aluminum products. This partnership enabled Judd to produce multicolored works that were a departure from his earlier, more monochromatic pieces. These works consisted of shallow, outward-facing open boxes made of folded aluminum, powder-coated in a range of colors selected from the standardized RAL color chart, widely used in commercial and industrial applications. Judd's intention with these pieces was to create a sense of "multiplicity all at once," aiming for a balance of colors without resorting to patterns or systematic arrangements (MOMA).
The genesis of these multicolored pieces was influenced by Judd's consistent pursuit of space as a primary concern. The artworks, mostly hung horizontally on walls or placed on the floor, encouraged viewers to reconceive their surroundings. This approach was part of Judd's broader aim to redefine the relationship between art, space, and the observer, grounding his explorations in the physicality of the materials and the spatial dimensions they inhabit (Artsy).
Additionally, Judd's Swiss works, and his late-career endeavors in general, reflect a continued experimentation with his signature forms—investigating new chromatic and spatial structures within metal and plywood boxes. This period was marked by Judd's engagement with architectural projects and writings, where he further elaborated on his ideas about the role of art in shaping and defining space. His work with Lehni AG facilitated new avenues for expressing these concepts, leveraging the precision and capabilities of industrial aluminum fabrication to realize his artistic visions (MOMA).
Judd's Swiss works represent not just an evolution in his use of color and materials but also an important aspect of his ongoing dialogue with the built environment and the perceptual experiences it can engender. Through these pieces, Judd continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of minimalist art, inviting viewers to engage with his works in a more immediate and visceral way.
