Lines

Agnes Martin said “‘I don’t like circles—too expanding?’ This is not the kind of expansion she wanted.” (Fer 61). What is the difference between circles expanding and the grid creating an infinite plane? What is the technical difference in terms of expanding and infinite?

While expanding circles create an endless continuous cycle, the grids create an ever extending field. Circles form a sense of repetition, but everyone knows where the circle is heading. Martin does not want theses constraints on her work, the grids show the possibility that the lines can go on into infinity but the course is not necessarily pre-determined. Circles have meaning behind them to people, suggesting ‘life and eternity’ but Martin did not want this message associated with her work. Her work was something new and unique, that she wanted to stand alone.

Martin created grids with wire and later abandoned it, creating a sort of ready-made. These ready-mades can be seen in connection to Duchamp’s ready-mades. Besides the obvious use of everyday things in artwork, how do Duchamp and Martin try to create a similar message? How is Martin’s artwork different from Duchamp’s artwork?