Unsettled Symmetry
Angela Heisch at 106 Green, NYC
Composure and balance often leads to a peaceful and serene state of mind, but balance is a tenuous state. Stillness can always topple into motion, and order can be consumed by chaos. Painting has long been concerned with balance and structure (or lack thereof), but a new exhibition by Angela Heisch perfectly captures the tension and latent energy contained in near-symmetric compositions.
Entitled Resting Position this intimate show of paintings at 106 Green in Brooklyn, New York is a showcase for Heisch’s abilities as a painter. At first glance, these square, colorful abstractions seem carefully composed, with the general template for the compositions being that the left and right sides are reflections of the other. They even seem reminiscent of Precisionist works of the 1930s. However, upon closer inspection, you realize there is something off. There might be certain lines that divert from the symmetry, or a dot of red randomly appears in the upper left corner. Once you notice these details, you start to notice every imbalance and difference. It’s almost maddening.
Each of these paintings have thin geometric layers that veil a patterned background. Some resemble crescent stars, foliage, and other quasi-figurative suggestions of an environment. These patterns swirl and move as if the paintings can hardly contain them. You might begin to think these innocent works are actually a little more unsettling once you catch on to Heisch’s nearly subliminal cues. The title of the exhibition seems more apt, too.
After seeing the show, I do wonder if Heisch gets some sort of thrill by throwing off her viewers and making them do a double (or triple) take. It takes a particular sense of humor to tease someone by making beautiful paintings. Despite how accomplished they are, they’re also quite weird and funky. That’s a fine balancing act, indeed.
