Tres Laminas 1959

Mathias Goeritz made these three square panels, called Tres Laminas, by applying a layer of gold leaf onto heavily textured surfaces. I love the sheer physicality of these panels. The repeating pattern of indentations or punctures create a rich and tactile surface. The gold leaf isn't smooth and reflective, but broken up by the texture underneath, resulting in a play of light and shadow that adds depth and complexity. The edges of each panel appear rough-hewn, revealing the dark material underneath the gold, creating a contrast between the precious surface and the rough materiality of the object. It reminds me a little of Lucio Fontana's slashed canvases, not so much in the execution, but in the way both artists treat the surface of the artwork as something to be manipulated and disrupted. Both artists push the boundaries of what painting can be, and that is an interesting space.