Buren is the first artist in this series to use the Underground’s iconic Roundel symbol in their artwork. A grid emerges by layering, rotating and repeating this famous logo, resulting in a lattice framework. The branding panel at the bottom of the map is incorporated in the artwork with the official Roundel appearing as if it has broken free from the pattern of red and blue.
Responding to the context of the Underground, this work highlights the multitude of journeys undertaken on the network, whilst spotlighting the individual. The larger format of the Tube poster provides Buren with a further opportunity to develop this idea and the space to apply his trademark repetitive stripes. Resulting in an all together new artwork, From A Single One To Millions, Part 2: Ink On Paper is a unique modification of the artwork presented on the Tube map.
Together these two connected artworks offer carefully framed fragments of an idea responding to the Underground network. With no definitive beginning or end, the artworks allude to a larger repetitive pattern that could feasibly go on for eternity.
From A Single One To Millions: Ink On Paper, is a two-part prelude to Buren’s forthcoming permanent artwork commissioned in conjunction with the major upgrade at Tottenham Court Road station, launching in 2015.
From A Single One To Millions: Ink On Paper
Artist: Daniel Buren
Client: Art on the Underground