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October 16, 2005
Rodchenko
I am impressed by the extraordinary complexity in Rodchenko’s repetition of basic rudimentary shapes. Although when we break down any complex system we find redundancy at the fundamental level, i.e. billions of single cells compiling the human body, the crystalline structures of complex molecules.
My experiment in emulating Rodchenko’s style started just as he did by building concentric shapes, in my case squares, one inside the other. Separating the squares in space I saw how they could be placed and rotated inside of one another, I was almost overwhelmed by the possibilities. Falling back on the words of Rodchenko, I followed the “voice” nature. The pieces began to find their own place creating a natural balance rather than a preconceived form. It was interesting, the complexity that arrived through the repetition of these basic structures, demonstrating, as Rodchenko said, the elements’ interdependence on one another. I am drawn to Rodchenko’s minimalist approach, using only materials that are easily available and within understanding, and by reducing his compositions to the basic levels of spatial organization. I liked how modular his sculptures are, offering limitless structures made from the same pieces. A gestalt arises from final piece being greater than the sum of all its parts.
I was also impressed by the lengthy documentation of care taken in displaying Rodchenko work. Not until I saw my structure slowly rotating with the air currents as it hung from the ceiling did I realize how effective the organic slow-motion movement overhead provided multiple moving points of view to the stationary viewer; almost hypnotic.
Posted by Leif Mangelsen at October 16, 2005 11:53 PM