HJ BOTT : BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972

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PLEASE NOTE BEFORE VIEWING:
This section will cover work AND interests from 1946 through February 1972. FOUR IMAGES per page. Some images may be enlarged twice. Viewing sequence beginning with the latest, ending with the earliest.
This section will take considerable time to upload as images and provenance's are attained.

This PRE-DoV work will be principally chronological as there was considerable overlapping of ideas AND focus. A cafeteria education, multiple conflicting interests, voluntary military service, numerous non-art jobs and quasi-careers until 1975, facile skills; ever evolving esthetic, reading, philosophic, political and personality influences; affairs of the heart and groin, time, early quest/need for money, ongoing immaturity, reactionary behavior toward early galleries and an inconsistent FOCUS make up the unraveling thread of this section.

Still, I think there is a thread leading from my early obsession with the phenomenon-of-a-line, no doubt from math and architectural drawing classes, and all of the foregoing, thus finding/developing the DoV System Concepts March 7, 1972.

BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972

Milton Friedman At Work (destroying South America)
1970-'71 ©
Bonded & rusted resins on carpet tubes and rusted chain on a rolling plinth
74 x 96 x 48"

A series begun to critique the damage done by Milton Friedman and his disciples throughout South & Central America and Africa, using the Burgers of Calais as the inspiration of the chaining as Friedman's IMF had done.

DESTROYED in a pre-prozac rage by the artist. Very sorry I did this.

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated, burnished & polished 85-3-5 bronze

Conquistador, ed 2/5 (view 2)
1970 ©
patinated, burnished & polished 85-3-5 bronze
12 x 6 x 5"

Head/Helmet Series

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated, polished and burnished 85-3-5 bronze

Conquistador, ed 3/5 (view 1)
1970 ©
patinated, polished and burnished 85-3-5 bronze
12 x 6 x 5"

Head/Helmet Series
editions 1, 2, 4:
Private COLLECTIONS, whereabouts unknown

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated silicon bronze

Boris Twistanoff, maquette, ed 3/10
1970 ©
patinated silicon bronze
4 1/4" high

Head/Helmet Series
Intended to be enlarge, approximately 12" high
Editions 1 & 2/10:
Private COLLECTIONS

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated 85-3-5 bronze

Top Hat Smoker, maquette, ed 3/10
1971 ©
patinated 85-3-5 bronze
4" high

Head/Helmet Series
Intended to be enlarged to approximately 12" high
Editions 1 & 2/10:
Private COLLECTIONS
Photo image of the wax before bronze casting

Captain Hornblower, maquette ed 1/10
1969 ©
patinated 85-3-5 bronze
4" high

Head/Helmet Series
Intended to be enlarged to 12"
Editions 1 thru 4:
Private COLLECTIONS

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 burnished & polished stainless steel

V.A. FOGG, ed 1/3 (view 1)
1970 ©
burnished & polished stainless steel
4 x 16 x 4 1/2"

Response to the sinking of the merchant ship, V.A. Fogg, off the coast of Galveston, TX. No survivors.
My wife wrote and article on this for the Galveston Daily News.
COLLECTIONS, all private, all editions

V.A. FOGG, ed 1/3 (view 2)
1970 ©
burnished & polished stainless steel
4 x 16 x 4 1/2"

Response to the sinking of this merchant ship off the coast of Galveston, TX, following an article my wife wrote, Galveston Daily News

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 studio floorboards, enameled pine plinth, coffee cans mixing dowels & five grades of latex rubber

Tableaux DIRTY Floor
1969 ©
studio floorboards, enameled pine plinth, coffee cans mixing dowels & five grades of latex rubber
9 x 36 x 36"

Lued Series (anti-coathanger abortion Dominionists PRO: Planned Parenthood)
Latex mixing cans with mixing dowels & run-off with a cast latex loaf, representing coat-hanger birth control imposed by males
DESTROYED in the take-down of Bott's Blue-Barn-On-Barnes,5/2014

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 bonded iron on wood

New Braunfels Dive, maquette III
1968 ©
bonded iron on wood
Approximately 12" high

This was the final maquette for a commission that fell through. intended to be 12' tall, welded steel.
Funding committee refused to accept the donation for the commission memorializing the donors daughter.

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 oxidized bonded steel on wood

New Braunfels DIVER maquette
1968 ©
oxidized bonded steel on wood
12" high for a 12' enlargement

A memorial commission that fell through due to community politics.
This initial maquette passed the grounds committee, based on a pick-up sticks in mode of falling as a diver would move. asked to simplify, ending with Maquette III.

NAPOLEON II, ed1/5 (view 1)
1968, cast 1970 ©
patinated 85-3-5 bronze
21 x 12 x 12" including rotating plinth

Head/Helmet Series
ed 1/5, Private COLLECTION

NAPOLEON II, ed 3/5 (view 2)
1968 cast 1971 ©
patinated silicon bronze
21 x 12 x 12"

Head/Helmet Series
ed 3/5, Private COLLECTION

NAPOLEON II, ed 2/5 (view 3)
1968 cast 1971 ©
patinated silicon bronze
21 x 12 x 12"

Head/Helmet Series
COLLECTION: the Drs. Angela Belcher and David
Boston, MA

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 Fiberglass and resin dyes

Earth Mama
1967 ©
Fiberglass and resin dyes
18 x 6 1/2 x 6"

Fetal Form Series
Casting not realized until 1970.
Originally intended as an edition of three. Only one cast.
Private COLLECTION:
Whereabouts unknown

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 polychromed and polished stainless steel

UNITY maquette (view 1)
1964 ©
polychromed and polished stainless steel
29 x 32' diameter

Competition entry for Hemisfair 1968, San Antonio, TX, to be the logo. Actual logo was a direct spin-off, top view, of this entry.
COLLECTION: estate of
Albert Shakis, Houston, TX

UNITY maquette (view 2)
1965 ©
polychromed and polished stainless steel
29 x 32" diameter

Original cast in aluminum in 1965, wax saved and cast 1970. Unity theme based on the five ethnic
"colors' of man: brown, red, yellow, black & white.

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated bronze on Formica™ plinth

Elliot's Bird
1966 ©
patinated bronze on Formica™ plinth
5 x 3 1/2 x 3 1/2"

simply a wax doodle cast in bronze
COLLECTION: the artist's wife,
Dee Dee Bott, Houston, TX

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 acrylics on etched scored MDF

TRACERIES
1965
acrylics on etched scored MDF
22 x 18"

Lineation Format Series
COLLECTION of the artist's wife, Margaret (Dee Dee) Bott, Houston, TX

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 dyed and polished hydrocal

OUTCRY
1964 ©
dyed and polished hydrocal
4 1/2 x 16 x 4"

Reaction to politics in Central America under the IMF crush
Private COLLECTION:
whereabouts unknown

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 wood lathing, industrial mesh, steel armature and high-finish concrete

Kleberg Lion (view 1)
1960
wood lathing, industrial mesh, steel armature and high-finish concrete
11 1/2 x 25 x 10'

Kleberg Park, Kingsville, Tx. Winning design, competition for play sculpture sponsored by the Lions Club, of course, through the Art Dept of Texas A & I University, Kingsville, TX. Constructed by sculpture students under the direction of Ben Bailey, about 1966.

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 wood lath, industrial mesh, steel armature & high-finish concrete

Kleberg Lion (view 2)
1960
wood lath, industrial mesh, steel armature & high-finish concrete
11 1/2 x 25 x 10'

Kleberg Park, Kingsville, TX, play sculpture, sponsored by the Lions Club, of course, of Kingsville, TX

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 wax dyes on hydrocal

Daughter
1960 ©
wax dyes on hydrocal
approx. 7" high

modeled from two snapshots
Original: whereabouts unknown
Plaster cast COLLECTION: the artist

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal dust, oil paint, glue, thread, yarn

Sphere XV
1956 ©
charcoal dust, oil paint, glue, thread, yarn
25 3/4 " diameter

LINE tangle experiments while stationed in Germany
COLLECTION: estate of Genevieve Arnold, Atlanta, GA

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 graphite dust, tempera

Sphere XI
1956 ©
graphite dust, tempera
28 1/4 " diameter

Line tangle experiments
"LOST" in closing of Madison Gallery, NYC, 1963

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 pastel dust, glue, thread, oil paint

Sphere X
1956 ©
pastel dust, glue, thread, oil paint
37 1/4 " diameter

Tangle of lines experiments with spheres.
CRUSHED in shipment to USA, 1956

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 graphite, pastel, thread, string, oil paint

Sphere VIII
1956 ©
graphite, pastel, thread, string, oil paint
21 " diameter

Sphere experiments
COLLECTION: Alex Kimarley, Munich, Germany

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 Pastel dust on glued thread, oil paint

Sphere VII
1956 ©
Pastel dust on glued thread, oil paint
42" diameter

Threads and string experiments while stationed in Germany.
"LOST" in the closing of Madison Gallery, NYC, 1963

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 graphite, charcoal and pastel dust on glued thread, oil paint

Sphere V
1955-'56 ©
graphite, charcoal and pastel dust on glued thread, oil paint
31" diameter

Tangle experiments with lines from masking tape, string and thread while stationed in Germany
COLLECTION: Patrick Rooney, Montreal, Canada
photo via Minox

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 enamel washes on india ink on plyboard

Playing With Perspective
1955 ©
enamel washes on india ink on plyboard
12 1/2 x 30"

Only extant image of this series done in Germany
Private COLLECTION, whereabouts unknown

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal and graphite on masking tape on paper

Into the Core
9/1952 ©
charcoal and graphite on masking tape on paper
9 3/4 x 8 1/16 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION:
Donna & Igor Alexander, Houston
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

ALTERATIONS
6/1952 ©
charcoal and graphite on masking tape on paper
9 13/16 x 8 1/16 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION:
estate of Henry J.N. Taub, Houston
photo; Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 masking tape on black-crepe tape on paper

Three Layers
6/1952 ©
masking tape on black-crepe tape on paper
8 1/16 x 9 3/4 "

From Art center School Of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION: Raymond Helinski,
Houston
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

Justify Balance
6/1952 ©
charcoal and graphite on masking tape on paper
8 1/16 x 9 3/4 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Alvin S. Romansky Prints Accessions Endowment Fund
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal on masking tape on black crepe tape on paper

Diagonal Box
6/1952 ©
charcoal on masking tape on black crepe tape on paper
9 13/16 x 8 1/16 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION: Dr. Carlos Bacino, Houston
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal and graphite on masking and black crepe tapes on paper

Advocate Balance
6/1952 ©
charcoal and graphite on masking and black crepe tapes on paper
9 3/4 x 8 1/16 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION:
estate of Henry J.N. Taub, Houston
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 masking, black-crepe & cellophane tapes on paper

Half Gloss
6/1952
masking, black-crepe & cellophane tapes on paper
8 1/16 x 9 3/4 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION: private
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal on masking tape on paper

Faking Symmetry
6/1952 ©
charcoal on masking tape on paper
9 3/4 x 8 "

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION:
Anita & David B. Garten, Houston, TX & San Ramon, CA
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 masking and black-crepe tape on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 charcoal nad graphite on masking tape on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 graphite on masking and black-crepe tape on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 graphite on masking & cellophane tape on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 Graphite, Charcoal on masking tape on paper

From Art Center School of LA entry portfolio
COLLECTION:
Anita & David B. Garten, Houston, TX and San Ramon, CA
photo: Hans Staartjes ©

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 masking tape and graphite on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 masking tape and charcoal on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 electrical tape on paper

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 patinated bronze

An early bronze casting, supervised by Dr. Waldine A. Tauch at the Coppini Academy, San Antonio,TX
Whereabouts unknown

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 sandstone

First stylized figure. Extensive repairs with bonded sand. Originally in the collection of my parents. Another deviation from my focus on "concrete art" and architecturally oriented objectives. (more @ view 2) COLLECTION;
the artist's wife, Dee Dee Bott, Houston, Tx

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 sandstone, extensive repairs with resinated sand

First stylized figuration. Stylization picked up again late 1950's and early 1960's from NYC gallery interest and sales.
COLLECTION: the artist's wife,
Dee Dee Bott, Houston, Tx

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 originally in wax pellets then patinated bronze

After reading about lost-wax casting, 1946, build-up of wax pellets done with the hopes of casting in bronze. With classes at the Coppini Academy, this was accomplished four years later.
COLLECTION: Waldine A. Tauch estate. Photo: Dr Waldine Tauch

HJ BOTT BEFORE DoV; earlier than March 7, 1972 shoe polish & bronze powder on cast plaster (probably hydrocal)

Whereabouts unknown. Originally belonging to my parents with various other busts and figures of this period, experimenting with various means of multi-part plaster casting from clay, soap and wood originals dating back to 1941.
Photo; Marcus Maspero ©

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