Volo (Flight) 1993

Giancarlo Tognoni created this etching, Volo, using an intaglio process. The fine lines you see were incised into a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. Ink was then applied to the plate, pushed into the etched lines, and the surface wiped clean, allowing the image to be transferred to paper under high pressure. Tognoni has imbued a sense of freedom and spontaneity in this print, achieved through the directness of the etching process. The network of lines captures the texture of the natural world. By manipulating the acid and the duration of the etching, Tognoni was able to control the depth and darkness of the lines, adding depth to the composition. Volo, meaning 'flight' in Italian, brings to mind not only the flight of birds or insects, but also the artist’s hand, gliding across the plate to capture the essence of movement in nature. Looking at this, it’s clear that the real subject of art is always the process, with materials and making carrying cultural and social significance.