Constellation

Wood relief, painted

69.5 x 84 cm

Arp frequently transfers the principles of his poetry into the sphere of fine art. The "Constellations", which were created from the end of the 1920s through the variable arrangement of elements which were similar in form, are an example of this procedure.

It was the constellations of stars, clouds or stones which inspired Arp to create his reliefs, collages and China ink drawings. The reference to natural forms is evident. The flowing outlines of the "Moving Ovals" resemble those of cells; Arp describes them as "cosmic forms". The early Constellation reliefs are frequently created entirely in white. The arrangement of the elements on the background does not allow us to recognise top and bottom, but rather conveys a feeling of infinity which is heightened by the interplay of the shadows that arise.