The artwork “Grüner Kern” is an abstract creation by Max Bill, conceived in 1971 and is associated with the Concretism movement. This movement emphasizes the notion of art for art’s sake, detached from representational qualities and focusing on the pure form and color.
Upon observation, the artwork presents the viewer with a stark study in geometry and color contrast. Central to the composition is a prominent black diamond-shaped form that commands attention against a background divided into four quadrants. These quadrants are colored in varying shades—two are in tones of purple and the others in contrasting hues of red and a darker shade that could be a deep maroon or a variation of red or purple, which challenges the viewer’s perception of color and space. The rigid geometric shapes and the choice of colors contribute to a sense of equilibrium and measured tension. The artwork exemplifies the reduction of visual elements to basic geometric forms and colors, which is characteristic of the Concretist approach. Through this simplification, the piece achieves a rigorous formality, inviting contemplation of the relationships between the colors and the geometrical shapes employed.
