Untitled

Mira Schendel's <emUntitled is part of a series of strikingly spare paintings rendered in earth tones and with no decorative embellishments. The work, which may be presented either vertically or horizontally, alludes to Schendel's interest in architecture. When viewed horizon-tally, the dark rust-color shape suggests an architectural form, evoking a weathered shed or an iron strongbox with a keyhole. Schendel's adept play with material and space made her one of the leading artists associated with the Neo-Concrete movement of 1950-6os Brazil, which used interactive and kinetic practices to engage with viewers on a social level.