541/69 1969

Rupprecht Geiger made this painting, 541/69, with what looks like acrylic on canvas. The way the colors buzz against each other, it’s as if the painting is actively creating light. I’m really drawn to the materiality here. Geiger’s application is so smooth, so even, there’s an almost uncanny flatness to the surface. The colors are so vibrant they vibrate! See how the acid green field meets the egg-shaped form? It's almost a light box, as if the image is glowing from behind. Then you notice the slight irregularities, the almost imperceptible variations in tone, and you realize it's hand-done. Looking at this, I’m reminded of Josef Albers and his exploration of color relationships, especially his Homage to the Square series. But Geiger takes it to another level of intensity. What a trip!