Electric prisms 

Curator: The dynamism of this work immediately grabs you, doesn't it? Such interplay between sharp angles and soft curves! Editor: Indeed, it has an almost pulsating quality to it. The juxtaposition of those gem-toned colours feels so carefully considered, yet playful. Curator: What we're looking at is "Electric Prisms," attributed to Sonia Delaunay. Though it's difficult to pinpoint an exact date for its creation, its style places it firmly within Delaunay's exploration of Orphism—a movement concerned with abstraction and colour. You can see her characteristic use of light and dark creating visual rhythm here. Editor: When I consider its materiality—probably oil on canvas, given the time period—I am particularly intrigued by the visible brushstrokes. The paint isn't just applied; it's clearly worked and layered, generating textures that add further depth to the interlocking shapes. How do you read her choices? Curator: Delaunay’s commitment to breaking down barriers between the fine arts and applied arts, I think it’s fascinating to consider the broader cultural implications. We tend to position painting so highly, so I find it very interesting when a painting uses non-objective colour, which reflects her and her husband’s interest in contemporary industrial production methods. These forms mimic advertising, textile and theatrical design. It speaks to the shifting landscape of artistic expression in the early 20th century and reminds us of her crucial contribution to shaping the public perception of modernism through applied means. Editor: And that’s an insightful point; a work meant to challenge the viewer to see how colours function to build social realities— Curator: Which they continue to do so! It is hard not to stand and watch, with it demanding my attention. I find it hard to move away. Editor: An apt response, given its title! This painting’s dynamism continues to shock my sensibilities.