Composition 

Marcelle Cahn’s Composition was made in 1955 using cut paper in simple geometric forms. Cahn, who moved through Dada and Surrealism, had an eye for the potential of everyday materials. Here, the flat planes of color are arranged in a playful composition, one that nods to the visual language of design and typography. The work’s materiality, cut paper, influences its appearance, with hard edges, clean planes, and a deliberate lack of texture. The processes involved are simple and direct. The artist likely cut the shapes with scissors or a blade. There’s a sense of improvisation and experimentation at play here. The work feels spontaneous and invites us to consider the relationship between materials, processes, and artistic expression. By embracing accessible materials, Cahn blurs the lines between fine art and design.