Gerhard Mayer: NGC 1976

German artist Gerhard Mayer’s drawings are created within the parameters of seven strict rules. Using drafting pens and an elliptical stencil, he draws curving parallel lines that, among other requirements, cannot intersect, cannot become complete ellipses or mere points, and must always lie on the horizontal. The complex reiteration of similar marks results in works that are delightfully diverse and consistently elegant.

Mayer’s recent drawings are based on infrared photos of interstellar clouds. NGC 1976 is the astronomical classification code of an interstellar cloud in the constellation Orion, which is visible in both San Francisco and Germany at this time of year. In addition to the small works on paper, Mayer will create a wall drawing, using a large elliptical stencil he constructs out of wood and operating within the same seven parameters.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Goethe Institut Inter Nationes in making this exhibition possible.