A new exhibition by Y2ARTS which re-contextualizes the works by their stable of artists, Vertical Horizon brings focus upon an often overlooked aspect of art making – the dimensionality of paintings. The shape and dimensions of artworks contribute to our perception of the piece by limiting our periphery and expectations. They are akin to the sides of a stage where performers transition between absence and existence; the velvet-veiled plane where ghostly production crews shift hurriedly about to ensure a natural course of becoming. From the cruel stability of a square, the fickle iterations of a rectangle, to the sensual curvature of the circle and everything in between; they remain silent, taken for granted, yet faithfully essential.

As the title may suggest, Vertical Horizon is an exploration of the extent and contributions of the vertical rectangle – a portrait’s best companion and the staple of eastern ink traditions. But how else have this shape served as a space for imagining and inspiration for artists? Also, how does the ratio contribute to our understanding of the image? As it oscillates between the role of master and slave to composition among altering creative processes, the vertical rectangle is an old dog constantly picking up new tricks.

Image courtesy of Y2ARTS.