Art Theory Text with Basic Configuration Diagrams 1942

Editor: This is Stuart Davis's "Art Theory Text with Basic Configuration Diagrams." It's basically a handwritten page of notes. It looks almost like a sketch, but it's all words and diagrams. What can we learn about Davis's work from this? Curator: This text gives us a direct glimpse into Davis's artistic thinking. He's dissecting the basic elements of visual language, reducing them to sequences and configurations. How does this contrast with the socio-political context of the time? Editor: Well, it feels pretty abstract. Almost like he’s trying to create a universal artistic language, separate from everyday concerns. Curator: Exactly. It's interesting to consider how Davis's focus on abstract forms can be seen as a response to or a rejection of the dominant artistic and political ideologies of his era. Editor: So, it’s not just about the shapes themselves, but also about Davis's place in the art world. Curator: Precisely. He was actively shaping the conversation around American modernism.