--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While the expressive possibilities of…" description: "\"While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are limited to two dimensions (the plane), Elementarism realizes the possibility of plasticism in f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg" --- # While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are… ![“While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are limited to two dimensions (the plane), Elementarism realizes the possibility of plasticism in four dimensions, in the field of time-space.” quote by Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg) > “While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are limited to two dimensions (the plane), Elementarism realizes the possibility of plasticism in four dimensions, in the field of time-space.” [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neoplasticism limits art to flat planes; Elementarism expands it into four‑dimensional space‑time. **In simple terms:** Flat art vs. 4D art concepts. Key Takeaway Explore art beyond two dimensions. Themes art theory dimensionality innovation Mood analytical thought‑provoking Type philosophical theoretical When to use this quote - gallery design - digital media - architectural modeling Key Concepts abstract expression spatial theory temporal perception Questions to Reflect On - Can viewers grasp four‑dimensional concepts? - How does time affect visual perception? A Different Perspective Complexity may alienate audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dimensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimensions/) [Expressive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expressive/) [Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fields/) [Four](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/four/) [Limited Dimensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limited-dimensions-893585/) [Plane Elementarism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane-elementarism-893582/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Plasticism Dimensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plasticism-dimensions-893584/) [Possibilities Neoplasticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibilities-neoplasticism-893586/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Possibility Plasticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility-plasticism-893583/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [Human beings, from a mathematical perspective, are fairly limited. Two and three dimensions, maybe five, and we're OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usama-fayyad/human-beings-from-a-mathematical-perspective-are-fairly-limited-two/) [Usama Fayyad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usama-fayyad/) > [For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-the-wise-man-looks-into-space-and-he-knows-there-is-no-limited/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Human beings do not wish to be modest; they want to be as expressive - that is, as immodest - as fear allows; fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/human-beings-do-not-wish-to-be-modest-they-want-to-be-as-expressive/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [He has the vocal modulation of a railway-station announcer, the expressive power of a fence-post and the charisma of a week-old head of lettuce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fintan-o-toole/he-has-the-vocal-modulation-of-a-railway-station-announcer-the/) [Fintan O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fintan-o-toole/) > [I'm a person of the arts. I love the arts very, very, very much. And ah, I'm a musician, I'm a director, I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/i-m-a-person-of-the-arts-i-love-the-arts-very-very-very-much-and-ah-i/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [All of us contain a divine, expressive spark, a creative candle intended to light our path and that of our fellows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/all-of-us-contain-a-divine-expressive-spark-a-creative-candle/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [I've found that in now having experienced what it's like to make records and just through growing up in general that you should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chantal-kreviazuk/i-ve-found-that-in-now-having-experienced-what-it-s-like-to-make/) [Chantal Kreviazuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chantal-kreviazuk/) > [“No, indeed, 'pig' is very expressive. And an excellent description of a fellow who flirts with his brother's beloved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-oppel/no-indeed-pig-is-very-expressive-and-an-excellent-description-of-a/) [Kenneth Oppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-oppel/) > [ It seemed so wimpy at first when I started to play \[guitar\]. So I started playing loud with lots of effects just to try… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mascis/it-seemed-so-wimpy-at-first-when-i-started-to-play-guitar-so-i/) [J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mascis/) > [I love graffiti because it enables kids from every social extraction to do something that brings them closer to art, when they normally wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/i-love-graffiti-because-it-enables-kids-from-every-social-extraction/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [His eyes, I’d long since discovered, could be as eloquent and expressive as his pen. The messages they sent me now hardly seemed decent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-eyes-i-d-long-since-discovered-could-be-as-eloquent-and/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [Like my best friend, I asked for drums for Christmas, and got them. But when he moved on to guitar, I realized two things:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/like-my-best-friend-i-asked-for-drums-for-christmas-and-got-them-but/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“I can tell by your eyes. You have very expressive eyes, Amery. Your emotions are right there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorelei-james/i-can-tell-by-your-eyes-you-have-very-expressive-eyes-amery-your/) [Lorelei James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorelei-james/) > [“Hands could be such expressive things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hands-could-be-such-expressive-things/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [I plan not to only be expressive creatively but to also be strategic in my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koffee/i-plan-not-to-only-be-expressive-creatively-but-to-also-be-strategic/) [Koffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koffee/) ## More by Theo van Doesburg > [We speak of concrete and not abstract painting because nothing is more concrete, more real than a line, a color, a surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/we-speak-of-concrete-and-not-abstract-painting-because-nothing-is/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [When contemplating a work of art it is possible to perceive if it has been created according to the eye or to the spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/when-contemplating-a-work-of-art-it-is-possible-to-perceive-if-it-has/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [Each superfluous line, each wrongly placed line, any color placed without veneration or care, can spoil everything, that is, the spiritual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/each-superfluous-line-each-wrongly-placed-line-any-color-placed/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [In all these products, whether iron bridges, locomotives, automobiles, telescopes, cottages, airport-hangars, funicular railways, skyscrapers, or children's toys, the will towards a new style…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/in-all-these-products-whether-iron-bridges-locomotives-automobiles/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [The square is to us what the cross was to the early Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/the-square-is-to-us-what-the-cross-was-to-the-early-christians/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [For - to say a few words on technique - whereas the curved line was used predominantly for reasons of beauty, (Phidias, Michelangelo, Raphael,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/for-to-say-a-few-words-on-technique-whereas-the-curved-line-was-used/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [Our time has produced a need for contrast. This has been achieved not only in the external appearance of plastic expressions of coulor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/our-time-has-produced-a-need-for-contrast-this-has-been-achieved-not/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [Art as language…in the future there will only be art. This common language will carry the message of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/art-as-language-in-the-future-there-will-only-be-art-this-common/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [he line has almost become a work of art in itself; one can not play with it when the representation of objects perceived was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/he-line-has-almost-become-a-work-of-art-in-itself-one-can-not-play/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [The line has almost become a work of art in itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/the-line-has-almost-become-a-work-of-art-in-itself/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [In place of the dream, the future will put art on a scientific and technical basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/in-place-of-the-dream-the-future-will-put-art-on-a-scientific-and/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [The complete and definitive work of art is created beyond one's individuality... ...The universal transcends such a level. Mere spontaneity has never created a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/the-complete-and-definitive-work-of-art-is-created-beyond-one-s/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [To be oneself is being neither under bond nor borrowed nor sold nor hired. To be, means to be spiritually free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/to-be-oneself-is-being-neither-under-bond-nor-borrowed-nor-sold-nor/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [There is an old and a new consciousness of the age. The old one is directed towards the individual. The new one is directed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/there-is-an-old-and-a-new-consciousness-of-the-age-the-old-one-is/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) > [...every machine is the spiritualization of an organism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/every-machine-is-the-spiritualization-of-an-organism/) [Theo van Doesburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) [Explore all 16 Theo van Doesburg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/) ## More Dimensions quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [When you're being truly creative, time stands still, and you enter a dimension that can carry you beyond the ordinariness of everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-linn/when-you-re-being-truly-creative-time-stands-still-and-you-enter-a/) [Denise Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-linn/) > [ Leave a cavity behind the \[wall\] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-and-on-the-inside-build-walls/) [Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Money should not be in the hands of individuals; otherwise it will create this problem of being burdened with guilt. And money can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/money-should-not-be-in-the-hands-of-individuals-otherwise-it-will/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Meditation is an opportunity to move into a dimension where there is no such thing as stress within you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/meditation-is-an-opportunity-to-move-into-a-dimension-where-there-is/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [I'm saying that the domain of poetry includes both oral & written forms, that poetry goes back to a pre-literate situation & would survive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-rothenberg/i-m-saying-that-the-domain-of-poetry-includes-both-oral-written-forms/) [Jerome Rothenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-rothenberg/) > [A mature mind is one who understands the impossibility of knowing the ultimate, and with this understanding there is a new dimension: the dimension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/a-mature-mind-is-one-who-understands-the-impossibility-of-knowing-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Emotional Literacy means being able to recognise what you are feeling, so that it doesn't interfere with thinking. It becomes another dimension to draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-orbach/emotional-literacy-means-being-able-to-recognise-what-you-are-feeling/) [Susie Orbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-orbach/) > [I think Kafka was right when he said that for a modern, secular, nonreligious man, state bureaucracy is the only remaining contact with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slavoj-i-ek/i-think-kafka-was-right-when-he-said-that-for-a-modern-secular/) [Slavoj Žižek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slavoj-i-ek/) > [Even if all life on our planet is destroyed, there must be other life somewhere which we know nothing of. It is impossible that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/even-if-all-life-on-our-planet-is-destroyed-there-must-be-other-life/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [When greatness descends from its lofty pedestal, it assumes human dimensions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-colet/when-greatness-descends-from-its-lofty-pedestal-it-assumes-human/) [Louise Colet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-colet/) > [Ideas were growing in all directions and dimensions; they were becoming a sculpture, or a castle. And then everyone left her, to return to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/ideas-were-growing-in-all-directions-and-dimensions-they-were/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [Calculate what man knows and it cannot compare to what he doesn't know. Calculate the time he is alive and it cannot compare to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/calculate-what-man-knows-and-it-cannot-compare-to-what-he-doesn-t/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) [Browse all 1,167 Dimensions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimensions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are limited to two dimensions (the plane), Elementarism realizes the possibility of plasticism in four dimensions, in the field of time-space.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theo van Doesburg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-neoplasticism-are-limited-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dimensions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-neoplasticism-are-limited-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/theo-van-doesburg-31918_dimensions_while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-ne_865055.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism are limited to two dimensions (the plane), Elementarism…” — Theo van Doesburg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Theo van Doesburg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-van-doesburg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "While the expressive possibilities of Neoplasticism...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-neoplasticism-are-limited-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-van-doesburg/while-the-expressive-possibilities-of-neoplasticism-are-limited-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```