I Am Pascal 1987

Editor: This is Dorothea Rockburne’s “I Am Pascal,” created in 1987 using acrylic paint. It’s currently housed here at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The strong geometric shapes really strike me, especially the way the bright yellow contrasts with the deep blue background. How do you interpret this work, especially its title? Curator: The title, "I Am Pascal," is a vital clue. Pascal, of course, was a mathematician and philosopher. Rockburne often explored mathematical concepts in her work. Notice how the geometric forms aren't just arbitrary shapes, the overlaid yellow triangles create a sense of dynamic movement. This arrangement hints at mathematical progressions and the layering of ideas, like a theorem unfolding. Do you see how the sharp lines of the yellow triangles lead our eye to the dark, seemingly receding, rectangle? Editor: Yes, it’s like a portal or a shadow. It’s almost ominous, compared to the brighter colors. Curator: Indeed! The contrasting colors could symbolize the interplay between light and darkness, knowledge and the unknown. Consider also how colors signify meaning; yellow can suggest enlightenment or revelation. Rockburne used colour intentionally. Do you know what else it can signal? Editor: Is it meant to echo Pascal's contemplation on existential questions – the nature of being, the limits of human understanding? Curator: Precisely. Pascal grappled with faith and reason, doubt and certainty. The painting mirrors this very struggle through its visual vocabulary of geometric form and striking color juxtapositions. The overlayed triangles suggest incompleteness, questioning... always seeking a deeper significance. Editor: That makes sense! I didn’t immediately connect the abstraction with Pascal's philosophical pursuits, but I see it now. Thanks for helping me decipher the visual language! Curator: My pleasure. Symbols resonate across centuries. By observing the shapes and colors chosen, you can unlock a multitude of historical and psychological frameworks to bring new depths of meaning to a work of art.