Linear Construction No. 1 1943

This translucent sculpture titled Linear Construction No. 1 was made by Naum Gabo at an unknown date. It’s in the Hirshhorn collection, here in Washington. The delicate strings and the rigid plastic create a really interesting dynamic, don't they? It's like Gabo is exploring how to make something solid, but also incredibly light and open. Notice how the lines curve and intersect, creating a sense of depth and movement within the clear, defined square. The tension between the sharp edges and the flowing lines is what really grabs me. I think it shows how art can be both precise and intuitive at the same time. It reminds me a little of some of Moholy-Nagy's constructions, but with an even more ethereal quality. It’s like he’s not trying to give us any answers, but to get us asking questions!