Taureau XIII 1956

Editor: Here we have Le Corbusier’s "Taureau XIII," a mixed-media piece from 1956. It strikes me as playful, with these bold blocks of color, but also quite fragmented, like a puzzle that's not quite complete. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a rigorous exploration of form and space, typical of Corbusier's engagement with modernism and cubism. Note the interplay of geometric shapes: the sharp triangles juxtaposed with the soft curves. Consider how the planes of color – the reds, blues, yellows – don't merely represent objects, but exist as independent formal elements. How do you perceive the relationship between these abstract shapes? Editor: I suppose I see them relating to each other through their differences – like how the hard edges of one color emphasizes the roundedness of the shape next to it. But do you think the colors themselves have a kind of structure? Curator: Precisely. The strategic placement of primary colours, alongside more muted tones, creates a visual hierarchy. Notice how your eye is directed across the canvas through these colour relationships. This, alongside the textures of mixed media, shows Corbusier investigating art's material properties and their role in constructing meaning. Is there anything in this formal arrangement that draws your eye in particular? Editor: The way the lines are drawn; some thick and dark and others thin and scratchy, creates an interesting contrast. Thank you, I never would have seen the composition that way, just focusing on the shapes alone! Curator: A fruitful observation. This type of work allows a rich investigation into both its structural design and the materiality of its making.