Close Code

2005

Mixed Media

Description

Sture Johannesson had a longstanding fascination with hallucinatory color, altered states of perception, and other hallmarks of the visual language of 1960s counterculture. Close Code expresses these interests with a vibrant grouping of mandala‐like forms that crowd the frame, their aura of purple, red, and yellow‑orange radiating into hazy, haloed light-blue gradients. The repeated circular modules recall both esoteric diagrams and psychedelic visuals.

Johannesson composed _Close Code _when he was in his seventies, with decades of poster art, printmaking, and computer graphics experience at his back. Here he combines posterized imagery and digitally generated patterns with hand‑applied texture. The central medallion features ten finely embossed rings, giving a subtle tactile lift to the image.

Image Handling Facility Edition IBM Malino by Sture Johannesson, 1989

Image Handling Facility Edition IBM Malino Sture Johannesson1989 Print

Chip Challenge by Sture Johannesson, 1981

Chip Challenge Sture Johannesson1981 Print

IBM Publishing IVX, La Hulpe by Sture Johannesson, 1990

IBM Publishing IVX, La Hulpe Sture Johannesson1990 Print

Aros is Aros is Aros by Sture Johannesson, 1989

Aros is Aros is Aros Sture Johannesson1989 Print

Untitled Sture Johannesson1993 Print

Chip Shadow Sture Johannesson1981 Print

For Sweeden with the Time by Sture Johannesson, 1974

For Sweeden with the Time Sture Johannesson1974 Print

Computer Paragraph by Sture Johannesson, 1972

Computer Paragraph Sture Johannesson1972 Print