Ann Pibal’s LDFSX (2008), on view at the Hirshhorn Museum, is a striking exploration of geometry, balance, and color theory that challenges our perception of space. Painted in acrylic on panel, this 45 x 60 inch work features a hypnotic network of orange and white lines intersecting across a black background, creating an intricate dance of form and rhythm that evokes both architecture and abstraction.
Pibal’s composition is built on a minimalist grid structure, where diagonal and horizontal lines intersect, overlap, and create dynamic shapes that seem to push and pull at the boundaries of the canvas. The bold orange lines exude a vibrant energy against the stark black, while the white lines add a sense of balance and structure, guiding the eye through the work’s shifting planes.
Installed on a vivid orange wall, the painting’s chromatic tension extends into the gallery itself, blurring the line between artwork and environment. The interplay between the painting’s internal geometry and its external setting enhances its immersive quality, inviting viewers to engage with the piece both visually and physically.
LDFSX embodies Pibal’s distinctive approach to painting, where precision meets spontaneity and order meets complexity. The work reflects her interest in modernist ideals while embracing contemporary design sensibilities. Visitors at the Hirshhorn are encouraged to lose themselves in the painting’s rhythmic interplay of lines, discovering new angles and perspectives with each step.
This installation exemplifies the Hirshhorn Museum’s commitment to presenting innovative contemporary art that invites reflection, conversation, and delight in the power of form and color.