Wall Paper Border c. 1937

This "Wall Paper Border" design was made by Charles Garjian. Just imagine him carefully applying each section of the design to paper! There’s something so deliberate, even reverential, in this work. Think about the rhythm of shapes—the way the blue grounds the decorative elements, and how the dashes of gold lead the eye. The black areas are quite striking and remind me of Ad Reinhardt's black paintings, but here, it is a beautiful contrast. I love the idea of Garjian figuring out these arrangements, probably with the intention of endless repetition in a domestic space. Maybe he was thinking about how the border would play across a room, or if people would even notice the intricacies of the design. It’s like he’s holding a conversation across time with all of us who look at his designs.