Dorothea Rockburne's Mathematical Drawing Process Explored in MoMA Exhibition

Dorothea Rockburne's exhibition 'Drawing Which Makes Itself' at the Museum of Modern Art from September 21, 2013 to February 2, 2014 presented works from 1972-73 that explored materiality as an active participant in drawing. The artist's early studies at Black Mountain College under mathematician Max Dehn profoundly influenced her approach, connecting mathematical sequences to visual forms. Works like 'Neighborhood, 1973' featured pencil lines on walls with semi-transparent paper, creating relationships between movement and geometry. Materials ranged from Kraft paper and Copal oil varnish in 'Roman VI, 1977' to chipboard and crude oil in 'Scalar, 1971', with some pieces appearing both sculptural and architectural. The exhibition revisited Rockburne's 1973 show at Bykert Gallery, though MoMA's installation used pedestals to prevent carbon spread from floor works. Rockburne described paper as a 'metaphysical object' where quotidian gestures could embody complex ideas. Her work combines intellectual rigor with sensual presence, making geometric forms tangible and exposed. The artist's exploration expanded drawing's possibilities through performance, sculpture, and mathematical principles while maintaining connections to traditions represented by figures like Ellsworth Kelly and Kasimir Malevich.