Art Theory Text with Sketch 1949

Editor: So, this is Stuart Davis’s “Art Theory Text with Sketch.” It’s hard to date, but it looks like a page torn from a notebook, filled with handwriting and small drawings. The text feels dense, almost impenetrable. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s a glimpse into Davis's mind, isn't it? He's grappling with the very nature of artistic creation. "An Idea in Art is an idea about a certain kind of physical action" – it suggests art is less about representation, more about the physical act itself. The sketch, those geometric forms, seem like a visual echo of these thoughts. Does that resonate with you? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s like the text is the theory, and the sketch is the practice, all on one page. Thanks, that actually clarifies things quite a bit! Curator: Exactly! It's the thought in action, both complementing each other. This page reminds us that art is all about thinking and doing.