Berekeningen c. 1901

This work, 'Berekeningen' by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, presents mathematical calculations inscribed on paper. Notice how the structure of the composition emphasizes the interplay between order and chaos. The calculations are rendered in thin, dark lines, a sharp contrast to the off-white, subtly stained paper. The numbers, arranged in columns and rows, suggest a systematic approach, yet the varying sizes and spacing introduce an element of disarray. Dijsselhof destabilizes the fixed meaning of numerical symbols through their placement, transforming them into abstract shapes and patterns, thereby challenging traditional, structured interpretation. Consider the paper itself, its texture and imperfections contrasting sharply with the precision implied by the calculations. The materiality of the paper serves as a ground that complicates the stability of the numbers inscribed upon it. This formal quality questions the assumed clarity and order of mathematical expression. What we see is a dialogue between the ideal of precision and the reality of imperfection, reflecting a broader discourse on the limits of knowledge and representation.