Dimensions: image: 256 x 254 mm
Copyright: © Gordon House | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: This is Gordon House’s "Triangles within a Square," an etching made in 1971. I’m struck by its quiet precision. Editor: The etching’s monochrome palette and geometric forms feel very controlled, almost like a blueprint. The vertical lines within the square remind me of threads in fabric. What do these shapes evoke for you? Curator: I see a subtle play with positive and negative space. The triangles can symbolize aspiration and stability, but inverted, they become symbols of instability. Editor: Interesting. Etching, as a process, is all about controlled destruction of a surface to create an image. This interplay between control and accident is so compelling. Curator: Yes, the controlled geometry contrasts beautifully with the nuanced tones of the etching. Editor: Ultimately, it's a testament to the beauty achievable through meticulous labor and simple materials.