Nexus 2018

Eckart Hahn made this striking image of a rope, or is it a snake?, on who knows what date and with what media. The mark-making here is very precise. Each twist and turn of the rope is rendered in such detail. The bright yellow background makes the rope appear to be floating in space. The texture of the rope looks rough and tangible, yet the paint application is incredibly smooth, almost like a photograph. Look at the way the rope forms a coil, like a knot, but then rises up, transforming into the head of a snake. The single eye staring out is slightly unnerving, yet beautifully painted. It’s a symbol of transformation, a visual riddle. It reminds me of Magritte, who also used mundane objects to create surreal and thought-provoking images. What do you make of it?