1934 project for Massine for Beethoven 7th Symphony Ballet 1934

Curator: Ben Nicholson’s “1934 project for Massine for Beethoven 7th Symphony Ballet” is a relief construction on board, a stage design rendered in painted wood. It’s quite small, roughly 15 by 20 centimeters. Editor: Stark. Minimalist. It evokes a sense of quiet anticipation, like the moments before a performance begins, all potential energy. Curator: Note how Nicholson disrupts the boundaries between painting and sculpture, challenging the traditional hierarchy of art forms. His interest in materials and the process of construction is evident. Editor: The 'stage floor' inscription grounds it, reminding us of the labor involved in performance. I wonder about the societal context: what does it mean to visualize Beethoven through this lens, for Massine, in 1934? Curator: It reflects the avant-garde spirit of the time, where artists explored new ways of representing reality, questioning conventions. Editor: It's a fascinating intersection of art, music, and dance, inviting us to consider the political implications of abstraction itself. Curator: Indeed, a piece that makes you reflect on materials and their arrangement, questioning assumptions about artistic hierarchies. Editor: It makes you wonder about the politics embedded within seemingly neutral forms. Thanks for the insight!