Untitled 1940

This untitled photograph, by György Kepes, plays with light and shadow, using photography to explore geometric abstraction. The composition hinges on the interplay between the real and the represented, the tangible and the illusory. Look at how Kepes uses stark contrasts, pushing the tonal range to create depth and dimension. The photograph feels almost sculptural. The geometric shapes and circles are rendered with such precision. Notice the compass, a tool of precision, seemingly floating in the air. It’s a nod to the artist's process, revealing the method behind the magic. It makes me think of Moholy-Nagy, another Hungarian artist, who similarly used photography to explore the relationship between art, technology, and perception. Kepes invites us to question the nature of seeing itself. It's a reminder that art is not just about what we see, but how we see it.