Study for Simultaneous compositions XXII 

Curator: Well, here's a fascinating glimpse into the mind of Theo van Doesburg with "Study for Simultaneous Compositions XXII," held here at the Kröller-Müller Museum. It's a graphite drawing, a preparatory piece for a larger project. Editor: My immediate reaction is that it feels like looking at an architect's unfinished plan—the ghost of a building perhaps, meticulously diagrammed but somehow incomplete. It's intriguing, though; all those intersecting lines create a feeling of constrained energy. Curator: Indeed. The piece perfectly embodies the principles of De Stijl, the movement Van Doesburg championed, focusing on pure abstraction and universality. You see the reduction to essential geometric forms: the squares, rectangles, lines, and even a suggestion of a circle. Editor: The grid is fundamental here. It establishes order, yet those diagonals disrupt the rigidity. That shaded triangle complicates the space even further; is it receding, or is it advancing? It's ambiguous. Curator: The diagonal lines are vital, as Van Doesburg was reacting against the static nature of purely horizontal and vertical compositions. He called it "Elementarism," introducing dynamism and tension. It was his way of challenging the orthodoxy within even his own movement! Editor: So, it’s more than just an exercise in geometric arrangement. The introduction of the diagonal injects instability and motion; It pulls us away from purely static composition. It gives a sense of controlled explosion to this seemingly ordered system. Curator: Precisely. And notice how even within this limited palette and range of forms, he achieves a depth of feeling and dynamism. It speaks volumes about the emotional power of abstraction. It is less about the actual forms, and more about the feelings it tries to evoke in you through pure reduction. Editor: Looking at it again, this study reveals something really personal—Van Doesburg grappling with ideas. Its imperfections somehow draw us in. It makes me think about progress; both in the artistic sense and the symbolic meaning of creation, and perhaps change, as he attempts to create these De Stijl pieces. Curator: Yes, a fascinating tension between structure and freedom. Thank you, I enjoyed teasing out some nuances to reveal it’s enduring impact and ongoing importance to abstraction. Editor: A worthwhile reminder that even preparatory sketches can possess such arresting energy! Thanks!