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Dieter Roth

1930–1998

Small Landscape 1969
© Estate of Dieter Roth
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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Rooms

46 artworks by Dieter Roth
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Biography

Dieter Roth (April 21, 1930 – June 5, 1998) was a Swiss artist who gained recognition for his diverse body of work, which included artist's books, editioned prints, sculpture, and creations from found materials, including rotting foodstuffs. He was also known as Dieter Rot and Diter Rot.

Born in Hannover, he spent his early years in Germany and Switzerland, developing an interest in art and poetry while living with a family of artists in Zürich during World War II. Roth's artistic journey was marked by collaborations and experimentation. He co-founded the magazine "Spirale" and associated with the Fluxus movement, all the while maintaining his distinct artistic identity. Notably, his artist's books challenged traditional formats, allowing readers to interact with and rearrange pages. His work often involved incorporating found materials like newspapers and magazines.

Throughout his career, Roth pushed artistic boundaries by creating biodegradable artworks that evolved over time due to natural decay. His pieces, like "Insel," combined foodstuffs with various materials, showcasing his unique perspective on transformation and impermanence. He died in 1998.

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Artworks

Left Right

When G Dug into the Toys he Struck Terrible Shit

Dieter Roth
1966–9
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Calm Life

Dieter Roth
1970
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Cologne

Dieter Roth
1970
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Berlin 1

Dieter Roth
1970
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Berlin 2

Dieter Roth
1970
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Düsseldorf

Dieter Roth
1970
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Heidelberg

Dieter Roth
1970
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Small Theatre

Dieter Roth
1970
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See all 71

Artist as subject

Left Right

Self-Portrait as Pile of Dog Dirt

Dieter Roth
1973
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Self-Portrait as Jealous Tiger

Dieter Roth
1973
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Self-Portrait as Jealous Tiger

Dieter Roth
1973
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[no title]

Dieter Roth
1971

[no title]

Dieter Roth
1971

[no title]

Dieter Roth
1971

[no title]

Dieter Roth
1971

Self-Portrait as a Flower Pot

Dieter Roth
1971
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Double Self-Portrait of the Artist

Dieter Roth
1972
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Self-Portrait as a Drowning Man

Dieter Roth
1974

Self-Portrait at a Table

Dieter Roth
1973–6

Harmonica Curse

Dieter Roth
1981

Stories

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MixTate: Jan St Werner on Dieter Roth

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