Study 1969

Here we have a Study by Simon Hantai, a canvas dominated by a vibrant red and white pattern. This isn't a painting of something but rather an exploration of painting itself. Notice how Hantai has used the technique of folding and crumpling the canvas before painting, a method he called "pliage". The red dye saturates the canvas, while the folds resist the paint, leaving behind stark white areas when the canvas is unfolded. What interests me is how this method disrupts traditional ideas of composition and authorship. The pliage technique introduces an element of chance and automatism, challenging the artist's control and pushing the boundaries of what it means to create an image. The interplay between the intentional act of painting and the random, uncontrolled folding creates a complex and captivating surface. It challenges us to reconsider how meaning is constructed in art. Is it the artist's intent, the process, or the viewer's interpretation that ultimately defines a work?