Bending Figures 

Editor: Here we have Walter Battiss's "Bending Figures", created with mixed media. The shapes are quite striking, almost like hieroglyphs. What do you make of the form and structure of this piece? Curator: Indeed. Let's begin with the lines themselves. Note how Battiss utilizes clean, decisive lines to define these abstracted forms. The stark contrast between the black figures and the light background emphasizes the negative space, giving equal weight to what is present and what is absent. Editor: So, you're focusing on the interplay between positive and negative space as a key element? Curator: Precisely. And consider how the bending form disrupts a sense of traditional perspective. The distortion and flattening of the figures challenges our preconceived notions of the human form and its representation. Ask yourself, where do you find your eye travels across the canvas, and why? Editor: I notice that my eye bounces between the green stripes on one figure and the gold stripes on the other, as they echo each other, and also echo the flat background. Curator: Excellent observation. The considered arrangement of color and form suggests a carefully orchestrated composition. These elements speak to each other across the space of the canvas. The figures, while seemingly simple, are carefully arranged to create a dynamic, if somewhat unsettling, balance. How might this affect your interpretation of the artist's intent? Editor: This analysis of line and space helps me see it's not just random shapes; there is intention and communication between the elements, like a visual language. Curator: Precisely. We observe the visual relationship, dissect its core components and interpret them through theory, allowing us to understand Battiss' work anew. Editor: Thank you, I've definitely learned a lot! Curator: A fruitful engagement, indeed.