Blog Post #2

I found this artwork, titled Unstable Talismanic Rendering 27 (2015) by German artist Kerstin Brätsch in the MoMA online collection. It was created with ink and solvent on paper. It is a 2D image; flat and made to be shown from one point of view. There would not be much texture if this was touched. The artist chose a marbling technique which produces mostly organic shapes. Analogous shades of dark blues, greens and purples make up the eye-catching focal point in the center. Pale blue and orange complementary lines are trailing outward from the middle. There is a momentary interruption in most of the lines consisting of circular shapes resting inside one another, located on their corresponding colored lines. The lines continue to reach the edges of the canvas. Brätsch's use of combing warm and cool colors show her apparent knowledge of color theory, which is demonstrated in this piece that flows harmoniously. There appears to be a well maintained balance of positive and negative space within the image, allowing the viewer's eyes to gaze about the image freely. The organic shape in the middle reminds me of a precious mineral. The smaller circular objects located around the focal point almost resemble cut tree rounds. I also think of the process of an embryo splitting in two, situated near the top. The radiating lines could be compared to veins, and the darker mass in the middle could also be seen as a cancer growing within healthy tissue. When I look at this artwork, I can't help but think of the duality of life.

*I saw this image in person while walking through the MoMA. It is gigantic and now I have a deeper appreciation.