Koe onder regenboog c. 1985

Editor: We're looking at "Koe onder regenboog," or "Cow Under Rainbow," a print by Harrie A. Gerritz, made around 1985, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It’s rather cheerful, almost cartoonish, with very flat blocks of colour and simple shapes. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The composition is fascinating. Gerritz employs a deliberate flatness, eschewing traditional perspective. Notice how the geometric shapes create a highly stylized landscape. The cow, rainbow, even the sun, are reduced to their essential forms. It invites a deconstruction of representation itself. Editor: So, it’s more about the shapes and colours than about realistically depicting a cow under a rainbow? Curator: Precisely. Consider the colour palette. The artist uses bold, contrasting colours, yet achieves a certain harmony. The flatness of colour creates interesting shapes. It challenges the traditional conventions of depth and form and draws attention to the elements that constitute image making. Editor: What does the cow contribute to this formal reading? Curator: The cow, centrally placed, anchors the composition, offering a focal point amidst the geometric abstraction. Its stark black and white contrasts against the pastel surroundings. The rainbow, of course, serves as a key structural element, arching across the top, its fragmented appearance adding to the visual rhythm. Do you notice how the artist fragments nature? Editor: Yes! That manipulation of natural forms for design intrigues me. Curator: Indeed. This manipulation prompts us to consider the semiotic function of each element, challenging us to go beyond surface-level interpretation. Editor: I see that. So, it's not about what it *is*, but *how* it's presented and constructed. It uses this flatness to make an interesting geometric arrangement, even if the overall impression is playful. Thank you for the new way of observing this. Curator: You've grasped the essence. This print stands as a playful yet intellectually stimulating exercise in form and colour relationships.