Notities 1905

This undated work by Willem Cornelis Rip presents a series of handwritten notes on a small, rectangular piece of paper. The dominance of text creates a unique visual rhythm, where words and numbers become shapes, distributing weight across the page. The uniform colour of the ink blends with the paper’s tone, and the texture is smooth and absorbent. Rip’s "Notities" challenges traditional artistic norms by blurring the lines between textual information and visual composition. The writing is not just a means to an end, but a spatial arrangement that engages with the page. Inspired by structuralism, the artwork invites us to examine its underlying structures through a semiotic lens: each word acts as a signifier, hinting at hidden meanings and narratives. Ultimately, the linear structure and composition of "Notities" encourage us to interpret the artwork not merely as a functional document, but as a testament to how language, form, and space interact to create art.