Open circle with two verticals 1920

Curator: This striking drawing, created in 1920, is entitled "Open circle with two verticals," by Erich Buchholz. There's such a stark contrast, almost an immediate intensity about the piece, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. The use of black and white is so absolute. It makes me think of a cosmic symbol, perhaps alluding to the stark binaries shaping lived experience and representation. Curator: It's definitely an intriguing interplay. Buchholz was very much involved in the constructivist movement, where the aesthetic and the socio-political are inextricably linked. He explored geometric abstraction, here using graphite on paper. The simplicity, the very reduction of forms to essential components, spoke of a utopian impulse to build a new, rational world. Editor: Yes, there’s something revolutionary implied, stripping everything back, interrogating structures of power. But also, the imperfect circle—not quite complete—alongside the uncentered verticals introduce tension and ambiguity, complicating the idea of a purely rational construct. What societal circles are intentionally excluded or divided? Curator: That incompletion introduces an important nuance, agreed. And you could relate that back to the historical context – the Weimar Republic was a time of enormous upheaval and uncertainty. Perhaps this represents not utopian fulfillment, but an aspiration undercut by reality. Editor: Or maybe a commentary on art itself as a perpetually incomplete representation, forever circling, getting closer, yet never fully grasping what it attempts to portray? The very act of "drawing," rather than painting or sculpting, feels like an important conscious choice too, somehow a direct link to raw material, a more accessible mode. Curator: A pertinent reading, positioning accessibility to new representation at the forefront. These bold, yet somewhat rudimentary shapes, reflect that ambition. A powerful drawing offering an abundance of possible readings! Editor: I concur. From societal critiques to reflections on the role of art. A fascinating intersection of medium, message, and historical moment, and with enduring power.