Bernhard Höke
Anti-Spray

1967

EB5

Large spray can with a manifesto by Höke
Height: 22 cm, diameter: 6.9 cm

Of the planned edition of 100, about 20 were produced, signed and numbered

out of stock

Edition by the artist Bernhard Höke. A white spray can in front of a white background. On the can is written large, vertically in red: anti-spray and smaller in black: Bernhard Höke. spray with anti-spray.

As a characteristic consumer product of the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle), commercially available spray cans have been finding their way into private households as practical aids since the mid-1950s. The edition Anti-Spray consists of a large spray can with a plastic cap, which Höke has labeled with a label and instructions for use: “Bernhard Höke. Spray with anti-spray. It is very easy to use. Press the spray button and spray evenly. The best spraying distance is 30–50 cm. Even a small amount of spray will achieve the desired effect. […] We guarantee the one-time filling of 100 cans of anti-spray.” The numbering of the can is followed by the signature and publisher’s details. Of the planned edition of 100, about 20 were produced.
The edition is a version of a larger spray can object, the Anti-Nazi-Spray, which Höke had designed in the same year for the exhibition Hommage à Lidice in 1967, that can be used for a variety of defensive purposes and to express a negative attitude.
Text: Birgit Eusterschulte