Black Square and Red Square 1915

Kazimir Malevich made this painting, "Black Square and Red Square," and it’s really about the basics: how he puts paint on and how the colors talk to each other. It shows how art can be a simple yet deep process. The surface of the painting has this real physical presence, doesn’t it? Look closely. You can see how Malevich built up the color, not trying to hide the work but letting it show. The black isn't just flat; it has layers that catch the light differently. The red too, seems to vibrate against the muted background. The edges of the squares are not perfect either. It’s as if Malevich is asking us to consider what is real and what is made up. "Black Square and Red Square" reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin, in the sense of reducing everything to its bare essentials. Malevich invites us to see the world in new ways, embracing the idea that there is always more than one way to look at things.