Untitled (Planes) 1990

Al Taylor made this untitled drawing with graphite on paper sometime in the late 20th century, and what strikes me is the open-ended, process-oriented feel. The linear perspective is there, but it kind of dances around. You can see this playfulness in the graphite itself; thin and spare, the lines almost feel like a loose improvisation. It’s as if Taylor is using these planes to explore space itself, rather than creating a fixed or representational structure. The surface of the paper becomes a playground for the artist. Take a look at the vertical lines suspended from the top of the page. See how they intersect with the geometric forms, creating a sense of depth and suggesting movement, almost like a mobile caught mid-spin? It reminds me a little of Fred Sandback's use of string to define space. Both artists turn simple materials into complex and engaging visual experiences. For Taylor, ambiguity is the point. It's a conversation, not a lecture.