Paper and oxidations

Argentina meets Austria’s Waldviertel: “This is where my paintings have their ancestors,” said Beatriz von Eidlitz as she stood in front of the colorful rock formations in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. At a paper mill in Waldviertel, on the other hand, she began developing her technique. This adventure started with an attempt to make rag paper by spreading the wet pulp directly onto an iron plate.
As the wet pulp dries on the iron plates, the resulting paper acquires a variety of rust tones through oxidation, which are complemented by color pigments. In addition, found objects such as saws and other iron artifacts were used at the time. Similar to embossed printing, this gave a relief structure to the picture’s surface. Other elements enclosed in the paper – such as wire, straw, or strips of cotton – created the character of material pictures. The rag paper has very special sculptural qualities. It brings out the tension between defined forms and the surface textures created, as if by natural forces, in an especially lively way.