Arcs from Four Corners 1986

Curator: Here we have Sol LeWitt's "Arcs from Four Corners," created in 1986. It’s a drawing composed of graphite. Editor: Immediately striking. I’m drawn to how the repetitive arc patterns create a subtle sense of movement within a very static composition. There's a real tension in this simplicity. Curator: The beauty lies in the systematic approach, the industrial quality and reproduction. Each arc seems meticulously drawn, pointing to the labour of the artist. Also, note the use of common materials—graphite, a staple in drafting and everyday work. Editor: Exactly. Looking closer, one sees four quadrants. A semiotic analysis reveals each as a variation on the theme, unified by their shared arc motif but differentiated by color and spatial orientation. Curator: Color being one choice among many for this particular rendition of arcs from corners. These types of diagrams could be used by workers in many industrial processes; consider his drawings as part of an ecosystem of design. Editor: It's the relationship between these formal elements, such as color and geometric shapes, that conveys meaning. Consider how LeWitt is engaging with the tradition of landscape painting—abstracting its inherent forms in an expression of pure geometry. Curator: While it is true that forms are important, what I find compelling about LeWitt's output here is its engagement with labor and conceptual processes, particularly his reliance on plans and instructions, that highlight the often unseen side of art production. Editor: Well, beyond any of that, these colored forms work because LeWitt created such powerful geometric abstractions which generate an emotionally resonant effect through symmetry and order. Curator: I find this more relatable than many pieces because its form grew directly from material necessity and labor! Its structure suggests accessibility but it's built on a complicated idea. Editor: An interesting perspective to have. It's been interesting looking closely at these simple quadrants today. Curator: I learned things myself. Good stuff.