Untitled Collage 

Editor: This is Mathias Goeritz’s “Untitled Collage.” I'm immediately struck by how the geometric shapes create a sense of organized chaos. There's a tension between the rigid forms and the slightly off-kilter arrangement. What kind of visual language do you see operating here? Curator: The arrangement certainly does project a visual tension. The colors are muted except for that brilliant orange, creating a disharmony that captivates. Look at how Goeritz deploys this disharmony; doesn't it echo early explorations of urban planning, like jarring architectural interventions designed to challenge societal norms? Editor: I see what you mean. The brown and the blue could represent something urban or architectural, the imposition of constructed forms. Curator: Exactly! And the contrast between these colors serves as symbolic friction. Consider too how Goeritz juxtaposes various textures within the collage medium itself. It's not merely about shapes, but how those shapes feel, adding layers to our understanding. Doesn't the lack of a clear focal point encourage a kind of restless wandering through the composition? Editor: It does. It feels almost incomplete or fragmented, prompting me to fill in the gaps mentally. The arrangement reminds me of city blocks. Curator: Perhaps Goeritz implies urban fragmentation to echo deeper existential fragmentation prevalent throughout the 20th century, not only of place, but even psychological disruptions. Editor: I hadn't considered that. The shapes, seemingly simple at first, now feel heavier with meaning, each one evoking broader themes. I am left wondering whether the collage represents tension and rupture. Curator: Yes, exactly, like the city that always was, is, and will be...under construction. The forms trigger different connotations for everyone, reflecting unique emotional, cultural and psychological imprints from each viewer’s individual landscape.