Vibración al infinito 1953

Lidy Prati made this geometric painting, Vibración al infinito, and though we don't have the date, you can tell it comes out of a very specific art historical moment. The way she’s applied these flat planes of color makes me think about process, about the steps involved in making an artwork. I love the colors; they're so bright and optimistic. The surface looks smooth, almost like it's been silkscreened. But then you notice the subtle variations in tone, and you realize it's been carefully painted, and you start to understand that she delights in small imperfections. Just look at how she’s arranged those colourful squares, and how one rogue red square sits amongst them. For me, the painting has something of the feeling of Agnes Martin, but with a slightly more playful sensibility. It's about seeing how far you can push a simple idea, and about trusting that something beautiful will emerge.