Yves Klein

Yves Klein was a French artist who was an important figure in post-war European art. His parents were both painters and were involved with the abstract movement in Paris. Klein was known for his monochrome paintings. He got his influence of Zen with the idea of a void. The void is a nirvana-like state that is void of worldly influences. His work can also be linked to performance art when he had his audience formally dress up and have models go around making the paintings with their bodies. As he was directing the piece, a monotone symphony played during the event. He was also known for the photograph “Leap Into the Void”, in which the artist is jumping off a wall with his arms stretched out while falling to the payment below the wall. He also did a series of fire painting where he would paint using a torch in his work. He would use this alone or paint before he would use the fire.