Beta 1939

Editor: Here we have Josef Albers' "Beta," a drawing with no exact date, housed at the Tate. It's a series of ovals and curves, somehow both simple and complex. What do you see in this piece, beyond the lines themselves? Curator: I see echoes of ancient cosmological diagrams. The overlapping ovals resonate with mandalas or even cellular structures. Consider how often circular forms appear in sacred spaces, marking cycles of life and death. Does the work evoke a sense of the infinite for you? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but now it definitely feels more expansive than just a drawing. Thanks for illuminating the cultural symbols. Curator: My pleasure. Recognizing symbols helps us connect with the work's deeper meaning.