Untitled, #1852013 2013

Herman de Vries created this untitled piece in 2013 using ink on paper. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the simple yet rhythmic arrangement of dark marks against the stark white background. The repetitive nature of these forms evokes a meditative, almost hypnotic state. De Vries' work often explores the relationship between humanity and nature through the lens of minimalism and conceptual art. The grid-like structure, which might at first appear rigid, reveals subtle variations upon closer inspection, challenging our perception of uniformity. Each mark, unique in its shape and density, can be seen as a sign. A sign not just existing on the surface but representing a microcosm of the natural world's infinite diversity and the artist’s structuralist approach to organizing organic forms within a systematic framework. Consider how the interplay between order and randomness destabilizes our expectations, prompting us to question fixed meanings and embrace the inherent variability of existence.