Artwork
Untitled (To Nest)
Untitled (To Nest) is a print by Roni Horn. It dates from 2001 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Horn often blends poetry with minimalist forms, and this piece reflects her Iceland trips where she finds beauty in overlooked details.
Roni Horn’s Untitled (To Nest) is a 2001 print held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It pairs two images of an Eider duck’s nest, showing a single egg, unusual since ducks usually lay eggs in pairs. Horn often blends poetry with minimalist forms, and this piece reflects her Iceland trips where she finds beauty in overlooked details.
The image ties to cottage industry in Iceland, where duck down is gathered for quilts. Horn uses the pair of photos to highlight how nature and human life intersect.
Check out Horn’s other work for more about merging text and form.
Overview
Untitled (To Nest) is a 2001 print by Roni Horn, held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It features a paired image of an Eider duck's nest with a single egg.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork references a traditional Icelandic cottage industry where down from Eider ducks' nests is harvested for use in quilts and garments. The unusual presence of a single egg, rather than the typical pair, is highlighted through the doubled image.
Technique & Style
Horn employed Iris printing, a process characterized by a soft, open texture, echoing the softness of the duck down. This technique aligns with her broader practice of combining minimalist forms with personal, observational elements.
History & Provenance
The print was published by Counter Editions in 2000 as part of a portfolio of 14 works by contemporary artists.
Context
The work reflects Horn's regular trips to Iceland, where she finds inspiration in the landscape and often photographs overlooked details, drawing connections between natural and human-made elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Roni Horn (born September 25, 1955) is an American visual artist and writer. The granddaughter of Eastern European immigrants, she was born in New York City, where she lives and works. She is currently represented by…
