Strahlung zu gelb 1972

Max Bill’s geometric composition, "Strahlung zu gelb," presents a structured arrangement of shapes in blue, green and yellow. The square, with its inherent symbolism of stability, truth, and order, dominates. But consider how the square is framed by ever larger geometric forms in green and yellow. The yellow might denote enlightenment or divinity, a concept as old as the rising sun in ancient Egyptian art. Green, often associated with nature and growth. Yet, the progression isn't strictly linear. In alchemical traditions, the arrangement of colors in geometric form, symbolizes the evolution of matter and the unveiling of hidden truths. These shapes echo across cultures, from the mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing the universe, to the ordered structures of Renaissance city planning. The appeal lies in the subconscious recognition of patterns and orders that promise understanding and control, reflecting a primal human desire to make sense of chaos, and the ongoing cyclical return to pure form.