Emery Paper collage 1930

This is László Moholy-Nagy's Emery Paper collage. Now, I love the way Moholy-Nagy used emery paper, a material more associated with industrial applications than fine art. I wonder if he was thinking about technology, about modernism, or about challenging traditional notions of art. I imagine him in his studio, experimenting with different textures and shapes, piecing together this composition with precision and care. Look at how the light catches the grainy surface of the emery paper, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The sharp lines and geometric forms contrast with the rough texture of the ground, adding to the complexity of the composition. It's a bit like he's created a constellation of abstract elements, inviting us to explore the relationships between them. Artists are always riffing off of each other. Moholy-Nagy was no different. Through experimenting with material, he was able to find another way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world.