Alphabet A 

Editor: So this is Erte’s "Alphabet A." While undated, it presents the letter "A" formed by two stylized human figures. It strikes me how the positive space of the figures and the letter contrasts so sharply with the vast negative space. What formal elements are most prominent to you in this work? Curator: The image captivates through its masterful interplay of line and form. Observe the Art Deco sensibility evident in the figures' elongated limbs and the overall streamlined design. Consider how the curvilinear patterns adorning their bodies contrast with the strict geometric shape of the letter itself. Editor: It's interesting how those patterns draw your eye and break up the solidity of the forms. It also uses line-work reminiscent of sketches... Curator: Precisely. And where does this placement of four additional instances of the lowercase letter, located outside of the main 'A,' lead us in our assessment of the visual arrangement? Editor: Hmmm. It nearly traps the viewer's eye within a perimeter... or it reinforces this emphasis on Art Deco. How else might a formalist reading guide one's appreciation of the artwork? Curator: Well, examine the chromatic scale. The composition pivots on high contrast, juxtaposing muted yellows against an expansively dark ground. How does the colour inform the depth of our visual interpretation? Editor: The use of the contrast seems to sharpen the silhouettes and make the figures stand out that much more clearly. So it reinforces the importance of a formal element to create emphasis. Thanks for offering that reading. Curator: Of course. Reflecting upon the careful composition and its constituent parts deepens appreciation, regardless of its intended purpose.