Exercise in Basic Colors and Shapes 1922 - 1923

Curator: This artwork, entitled "Exercise in Basic Colors and Shapes," is by Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack. Editor: It’s strikingly simple—almost austere. A red triangle, a blue square, a yellow circle against a grey background. Curator: The title really primes us to consider the artist's process. We can think of Hirschfeld-Mack using these basic shapes to explore color theory, which was part of his work at the Bauhaus. Editor: The composition, however, is carefully considered. The interplay between these distinct shapes creates a visual balance. The colors also play off each other nicely. Curator: Exactly! And it's important to remember that the Bauhaus was interested in dissolving the boundaries between fine art and applied arts, between making things for real human use and making them as an abstract study. Editor: I see your point. It is a bit more than meets the eye. Curator: Precisely, thinking about the social context of the Bauhaus helps inform how we see this piece. Editor: Fair enough. Now I find I appreciate the subtle relationships between form and purpose that are at work here.