Ontwerp voor een tapijt met Oosters patroon 1920 - 1930

Editor: Here we have "Ontwerp voor een tapijt met Oosters patroon," or "Design for a Carpet with Oriental Pattern," made by Dirk Verstraten between 1920 and 1930, employing a mixed media drawing technique. The precise grid makes me think of pixel art; it seems very intentional. What aspects of its design and execution strike you the most? Curator: Its methodical construction is paramount. Note the grid undergirding the entire composition, each square meticulously filled with colour. This reveals a deep concern for structure. The chromatic interplay between the blues and oranges establishes an active visual rhythm. How does the pattern's repetition impact your understanding of the piece? Editor: The repetition, combined with those angular shapes, almost creates a sense of motion or vibration. What effect do you think the use of geometric shapes, rendered in this 'pixelated' fashion, aims to achieve? Curator: Semiotically, the geometric forms present a codified visual language. This interplay challenges our reading. Note the recurring tear-drop motifs; how might those function formally and structurally? Editor: I see how that repetition emphasizes those shapes! Thanks! Curator: Indeed, these structural echoes, or mirroring effect, speak to the deeper principles of art deco, where structure and the relationship of forms supersedes representation. Hopefully, considering those visual elements gives a better handle on what to observe.