Beat 1952

This striking composition entitled Beat, by Alexander Liberman, presents a visual rhythm of black circles punctuated by yellow dots, all embraced by a winding blue ribbon. The circle, a potent symbol throughout human history, signifies wholeness, eternity, and the cosmos. The winding blue form may echo the ancient serpent, a symbol present in various cultures, representing cyclical time, rebirth, and the primordial waters of creation. Consider the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, or the serpent entwined around the caduceus, symbols of constant renewal and healing. The recurring black circle motif, pierced by the yellow dot, evokes an emotional tension. A memory perhaps, or a deep psychological process, the piercing may symbolize vulnerability or the penetration of darkness by light, an alchemical transformation. These visual motifs possess a non-linear progression, resurfacing throughout time, evolving and taking on new meanings in different contexts. The image engages us on a subconscious level, stirring within us a sense of the timeless rhythm of existence.