The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the Second Folder 1978

Valerii Lamakh made this ink drawing, titled 'The Fourth 'Book of Schemes,' sometime in the mid-twentieth century, and it’s all about different ways of seeing. The drawing is a set of simple geometric forms; nine squares arranged in a grid, each containing a different arrangement of lines, a kind of taxonomy of marks. I love how the density increases, from simple lines to complex grids, like a visual algorithm unfolding before our eyes. Look closely at the surface; the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, giving the lines a soft, almost fuzzy edge. You can almost feel the hand of the artist as he carefully draws each line, building up the density and complexity of the composition. The varying weight of the lines creates a sense of depth, almost like an optical illusion. Lamakh's interest in simple forms and systematic organization resonates with the work of Agnes Martin, who also used grids to create a sense of order and harmony. But unlike Martin's subtle gradations, Lamakh's lines are bold and assertive, like a language waiting to be deciphered. There's no right or wrong way to interpret it, just a playful invitation to engage with the act of seeing.