Debussy: Sunken Cathedral 1996

Curator: Maria Bozoky created this drawing, “Debussy: Sunken Cathedral,” in 1996 using ink on paper. The title suggests an homage to Debussy's famous musical composition. Editor: My first impression is one of ethereality, something both present and fading away simultaneously. The green washes give it an aquatic feel, and the swirling lines evoke movement, perhaps water currents. Curator: The piece seems evocative of a legend: a submerged cathedral rises from the depths in Brittany, visible on clear mornings, its bells sounding to those pure of heart. The motif of a face emerging from the architecture becomes more prominent. Considering this in terms of Bozoky's artistic practice, how do you view the relationship between this work and music? Editor: Formally, the drawing's strength lies in its use of line and color to suggest depth and volume without relying on traditional shading. The green, laid down in translucent washes, interacts dynamically with the more assertive white ink. The interplay makes the figure present and elusive, imbuing the sunken cathedral with a melancholic tension. Curator: Right, it's as though Bozoky translates Debussy’s impressionistic harmonies and shifting dynamics into a visual medium. It’s interesting how, at that period, artists turned to music as an inspiration when trying to express more than simple imitation or representation of everyday life. The piece operates within this historical context and the influence of symbolism, aiming to elicit an emotional response rather than a literal depiction. Editor: The composition certainly rejects conventional perspective, favoring a flattening of space that heightens the work's dreamlike quality. Also, do you observe how the starkness of the ink contrasts to give the suggestion of luminosity of the figure within? The artist uses formal aspects to reinforce its spectral qualities. Curator: Bozoky created a stunningly affective artwork. Its impact stems from its connection to Debussy's piece and Bozoky's ability to capture the spirit of the source material and the time, evoking both tranquility and submerged secrets. Editor: Agreed, analyzing how the abstract and figurative meet is key. I am especially captured by the balance that she creates, how the form's transience can elicit such a deeply resonant and contemplative experience.