Dimensions: support: 575 x 568 mm frame: 814 x 959 x 65 mm
Copyright: © DACS, 2014 | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: Vantongerloo’s "No. 98 2478 Red/135 Green," residing here at the Tate, presents a striking arrangement of geometric forms. What do you see in this stark visual language? Curator: The interplay of red and green evokes a primal duality, doesn't it? Red, traditionally signifying vitality, sits above, while green, representative of growth, grounds the composition. Think of alchemic symbolism: the active and passive principles. Does this resonate with you? Editor: I hadn't considered the alchemic aspect. Now that you mention it, I can see how those traditional symbolic roles come through. Curator: These vertical bars also echo architectural pillars, hinting at structures both physical and conceptual, supporting a hidden narrative. Perhaps a lost civilization, or a future one yet to be built? Editor: It’s amazing how abstract shapes can still evoke such a sense of history and potential.
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/vantongerloo-no-98-2478-red135-green-t01574
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Vantongerloo was one of the pioneers of a mathematical approach to abstract art. The first number in the title,’No.98’, is the figure Vantongerloo gave the work in his own catalogue. The rest of the numbers represent units of space in the painting. The basic unit (1) is the white rectangle and green stripe on the left of the bottom row. The second and third spaces along are each equivalent to two of these rectangles. Adding these numbers (1, 2, 2) cumulatively results in 1, 3 (1 2), 5 (3 2) for the green stripe section. The red row works on the same principle to give 2,4,7,8. Gallery label, June 2021
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