Week #45, Rhythmic Lines II

Untitled (Black Lines and Dots), 1983, ink on paper, 5” x 8”

This week we take a look at another work on paper by Dusti Bongé featuring lines. It seems that in all of these works she is exploring the compositional variations one can achieve by just drawing parallel lines. By altering the length, thickness, repetition and spacing of her lines, she shows that this most elementary gesture itself is not just the means to an end, but can become the goal in and of themselves.

In some cases, these works are incredibly rhythmic and patterned, while in others the lines are more freely, or even erratically, dispersed across the page. The works can also vary greatly in the density of lines used. Some suggest a meditative and repetitive process, like last week’s drawing with multiple thin lines drawn very closely together. Other works suggests a very rapid approach of confident mark making.

This piece seems to be of the latter type. Just a few heavy lines, which themselves are each composed of two heavy felt tip pen strokes, are spaced freely and unevenly across the paper. There is no deliberate design or clear pattern other than the slight alternating up-and-down position of the marks. Interspersed with some minimal stippling, also in a rather uncontrolled arrangement, the work is sparse, yet energetic Still, the positioning of the five verticals creates a loose rhythmic movement across the work.  

This simple drawing is really a great example of an aesthetically minimalist approach, reducing the artwork to its essential elements.

Totally unrelated note a propos today's date "These go to eleven!"