Untitled (Genesis) by Mira Schendel

Untitled (Genesis) 1965

0:00
0:00

Dimensions: Left panel of 4 monotypes: 612 x 1237 x 8 mm Right panel of 5 monotypes: 612 x 1537 x 8 mm Individual monotypes: 465 x 229 mm

Copyright: © mira schendel estate | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate

Editor: Mira Schendel’s “Untitled (Genesis)” comprises nine monotypes on delicate paper. They’re filled with cryptic symbols and text, almost like pages from a forgotten alchemical manuscript. What do you make of these evocative markings? Curator: The power of Schendel's work lies in its visual language. Notice how circles and lines repeat. Consider the circle, a potent symbol across cultures representing wholeness and cyclical time. Is Schendel suggesting a personal cosmology or a broader cultural memory? Editor: It’s fascinating how such simple forms can hold so much potential meaning. I hadn’t considered the cultural implications. Curator: Indeed. These aren't merely abstract forms, but echoes of shared human experiences. Understanding this unlocks a deeper appreciation for the work. Editor: I definitely see that now. Thanks, that was really insightful.

Show more

Comments

tate's Profile Picture
tate 2 months ago

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/schendel-untitled-genesis-t13709

Join the conversation

Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.

tate's Profile Picture
tate 2 months ago

Shapes and words in Portuguese are roughly traced across thin sheets of paper and sandwiched between two acrylic sheets. Many are references to the Biblical story of creation and allude to the roles of myth, religion and language in society. Mira Schendel lived in three countries and spoke six languages by the time she settled in Brazil aged 30. Her multi-lingual, multi-cultural experience shaped her interest in how language constructs meaning. Schendel included this work in her 1966 solo exhibition at Signals Gallery, London. Gallery label, August 2024