Karen Schiff on Erwin Redl

This drawing buzzes. This comes in part from the intensity of the red and the black against their tumbling mat of white. But it also comes from what might not be visible in this picture of this picture: the edges of the rectangles crackle. It looks as if Redl drew the outlines with crayon, then filled in the spaces with ink. Rough against hard edges, and especially reddish crayon against black ink, create a visual electricity – a hum. So I was not surprised to learn that Redl has two music degrees, and that as an artist he is best known for installations made from lights. This piece moves with rhythm and shimmer.