Angle Theory Diagrams 1932

Curator: Here we have Stuart Davis's "Angle Theory Diagrams," a study in ink on paper currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Its size is modest, about 28 by 22 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is that it feels almost instructional, like a page from a geometry textbook, but also deeply personal somehow. Curator: It's fascinating how Davis, known for his modernist paintings, is deconstructing form itself here. He’s not just representing the world, but examining its underlying structural principles through angles and proportions. We see him working through a tangible methodology. Editor: Absolutely. The annotations offer us an insight into Davis's creative process, emphasizing the role of mathematics in artistic creation. It invites reflection on how systems of knowledge intersect with artistic expression and whether that intersection reinforces or resists power structures. Curator: Indeed, and by breaking down these fundamental relationships, Davis challenges the traditional hierarchy of art-making, positioning the labor of planning and design as integral to the final product. Editor: It makes you think about how we categorize "art" versus "design," and the social implications of those distinctions. Curator: Precisely. This piece invites us to consider the very labor of artistic thought and the socio-political contexts that shape our understanding of art. Editor: It’s a great reminder that even seemingly abstract concepts are rooted in concrete realities and social frameworks.