Hypersphaerae vandoesburg

 

Hypersphaerae vandoesburg

Colored Diamond Pattern Superball

This style of ball is named after the Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg who was, along with Piet Mondrian, one of the founders of the De Stijl movement that was concerned with abstraction, simplicity and a new kind of applied art.  

(Source: https://www.artsalonholland.nl/grote-meesters-kunstgeschiedenis/theo-van-doesburg.)  

H vandoesburg display geometric and rectilinear "blocks" of rpimary and secondary colors in a solid color field—the base color varying from the blocks but represented as such in alternate samples; I.e, with a green base field, the green block would not appear.  The design is made within a sheet of rubber and then molded around a core in the construction process.  The surface is most often matte and textured but can be found with smooth, shiny skins as well.  The balls are dense and less dynamic than typical styles and can oxidize and dry out with age. (Photo courtesy of Headwater Media.)

Theo van Doesburg, Composition VIII (the cow), 
ca.1918, oil on canvas, 38 x 64 cm, 
Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA

Hypersphaerae vandoesburg

2014

Specimen box created for, Bounce!, at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (2014/15).

Materials: Salvaged frame, linen, foam-core, wood, metal nameplate, hardware, and contemporary balls.

Photo courtesy of Headwater Media,

©2020 Henry J. Simonds