Reflective red spheres form a heart-shaped sculpture on a round metal base against a white background.

Jean-Michel Othoniel

Kokoro (red)

€3,500
Limited edition of 60

Shipping begins in April and finishes in August

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Jean-Michel Othoniel distills his monumental glass heart sculptures into a new limited edition brass work.

Kokoro (red) takes its name from the Japanese word referring to the heart as an organ and love itself. The form originated from Othoniel's first public commission in Japan – a giant red glass heart at the entrance of the Hara Museum ARC which visitors walked through. The heart has since appeared in numerous iterations, including a Murano glass version placed in Avignon chapel at the historic site where Renaissance poet Petrarch experienced love at first sight – what the French call ‘coup de foudre’.

Each sculpture is meticulously crafted from gold-plated polished brass with red tint using lost-wax casting to preserve the sensuality of the beads. Hand-assembled on a mirrored nickel-plated brass base, the reflection transforms the heart into a symbol of infinity.

Jean-Michel Othoniel looking towards the camera with his arms crossed
Jean-Michel Othoniel3 collaborationsThere are no limits to what Othoniel can imagine with glass. With a three-decade-long career behind him, his monumental sculptures only continue to grow in scale and symbolism. Utilising unorthodox materials including sulphur, wax and volcanic glass, Othoniel explores the possibilities of material, and how such materials reveal the poetic fragility of human experience. Colossal beaded necklaces are a central motif. With no-one wearing the chains, they represent “absence” and the ephemerality of life. Byzantine dances from the Middle Ages are an important influence, as well as the complex forms of nature. Resisting trends within conceptual art in the 1990s, Othoniel wanted to create something unabashedly beautiful.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

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  • Incredibly happy and impressed with the quality of what we received. Will definitely consider buying from Avante Arte again.

  • i loved the details of the note and gloves. well done!

  • Love the quality of the build

  • Love my print and the safe packaging provided by Avant Arte. Thank you!

  • AA always produces an amazing quality product; packaging and framing are always top notch as well!

  • Thank you so much for the communications! Very surprised with the gloves, tote, personal card note, and COA! This a gorgeous piece and like nothing I’ve ever seen! Keep pushing the boundaries on art and technology!

  • love the quality and care put into the work. love it and cant wait to hang it at home.


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