Plus Four - Red 1965

Curator: Hannes Beckmann’s square canvas, "Plus Four - Red," presents a fascinating study in geometric abstraction. The nested squares immediately draw the eye inward. Editor: It’s visually arresting, isn’t it? The diminishing squares give the illusion of depth, like looking into a series of receding rooms, rendered in carefully modulated shades of red. Curator: The color choices here, and the way they are applied, were not accidental. I’d suggest this piece, measuring 50 by 50 inches, reflects the artist’s interest in systems of production, here creating an immersive experience for the viewer through the layering of material. Editor: I think it’s interesting that the format of the square canvas emphasizes the cross shape, giving an almost religious connotation to this work. Curator: That reading is certainly possible. But my emphasis would be the way in which industrial processes influence the artist's hand through repetition. Editor: That makes perfect sense. It is a very striking, symmetrical, and spiritual work.