Cieszowa III, 1973

About the Work

In Cieszowa III, each geometrical form indicates another spatial dimension – with the both simple and epochal goal of breaking up the picture as a two-dimensional object in front of the wall. The work belongs to a group of 130 pieces on which Stella worked between 1970 and 1973. Serving as a model was the building documentation in the book Wooden Synagogues (Piechotka, 1959) which he received from Richard Meier (architect, *1934). The structure consisting of several particle boards covered with canvas, felt and cloth is reminiscent of the decorative wooden constructions of Polish synagogues — here the one in the village Cieszowa. The pictorial object protrudes into the surrounding space and puts to question the traditional format of a panel painting.