This wing of the museum is dedicated to abstract art and divided into two main areas. Here in the southern hall you can see modern abstract art. To the north is our exhibit on ᛗᛖᚦᚢᚱᛟᛚ geometric art.
The statue in the center of the hall here is "Reaching Out" by Theseto. It is composed of two figures. One wears a wide conical hat, from which hang hundreds of copper wires covered with beads made from stone, glass, wood, and metal. The wires completely obscure the figure within, except for their bare feet. The other figure is depicted reaching their hands into the cloud of beads and pulling some of the outer layer aside. Their face is blank, leaving the emotional valence of the scene deliberately ambiguous. The position of the first figure's feet suggests they are facing the second figure, but does not convey whether they are leaning into the interaction or backing away from it.
Theseto said they had based this piece on "a person I once knew", but refused to elaborate further.
This painting along the south wall is "Twin River City from above". Despite what the name suggests, it is not representational. It instead shows a riot of colorful intersecting lines which the artist — who remains anonymous — say represent the daily journies of 200 people that they followed in the course of making the artwork. Tangled within the lines are various smaller images. Some are clearly landscapes of the city, but others have more metaphorical interpretations. Notice the repeated use of butterflies in the scenes. These butterflies feature frequently in this artist's work.
This piece by Setel, titled "Shipping container" consists of a plain brown wooden box with a bronze latch measuring about two feet by three feet and a list, displayed to the west, of what the box ostensibly contains.
The list reads as follows:
- A bright red dress that I wore on days of stress
- A dark grey wrap that I wore on days of rest
- Two bottles of blue glass that the sea gave to me
- Zero green umbrellas the wind stole from me
- A photograph of hazel eyes
- And the yellow mask which covered them in life
- Hazardous materials, if memories are hazardous
- Liquids, if time is a liquid
- An envelope containing the customs payments for all these things
- One last sigh, as I close the lid and let it go
The artist asked that the box never be opened, so it is not known how many of these things the box contains.
This series of paintings along the north wall are all by Bhesek|, who explored "the minimalism of form". They each depict a singular subject skillfully represented with the minimum number of brushstrokes. Do not be distressed if these artworks do not seem to show anything; about 0.3 of people cannot see what Bhesek| was depicting. For best results, the museum recommends sitting at the marked bench to the south and letting your eyes unfocus slightly.
The first painting shows a tree growing upon a mountain. The overlap of the bands of pale color creates the suggestion of a fir tree against grey stone.
The second painting shows an eagle reaching out with its talons. Bhesek| focuses here on the speed and dynamism of the form, and not on the individual details of the eagle.
The third painting shows a ship, the sharp contrast of the crossbeam lending a clear interpretation to the curling lines of the hull.
It is unknown whether any of these were painted from life.
This sculpture by Smaller Continent artist Obíes Dagarik is titled "Boxes in space". It consists of eight large stone blocks, arranged to look like they are tumbling, unsupported. If you examine the corners of the blocks, you can see that the piece is actually made of thin stone panels, expertly matched to create the appearance of solid blocks. Within the interior of the boxes is a twisting steel support column which holds them in the air.