Balchik - Steps 

Editor: This painting, titled "Balchik - Steps" by Mihai Sârbulescu, seems to capture a cityscape through thick strokes of oil paint. The textures and color palette create such an interesting feel... almost dreamlike. What stands out to you the most? Curator: The assertive materiality, immediately evident, constructs a compelling visual argument. The impasto technique does not merely represent the scene, but actively recreates it, imbuing it with a palpable presence. Note how the heavy application of pigment transforms the steps from a simple architectural element into a dominant structural force. Editor: So, the way the paint is applied is key? Curator: Precisely. The texture and volume displace light, creating shadow play. It draws our attention not only to what is depicted, but also to the *how*. Observe also the restricted color palette—primarily whites, blues and reds – does it evoke anything? Editor: A sense of the Mediterranean, perhaps? The buildings and sea... it is hard to miss, somehow calming and intriguing at the same time. Curator: Yes. This restraint focuses our attention on the relationships between the forms themselves, intensifying their presence and allowing for a pure, sensory experience. We are less concerned with ‘what’ we are seeing and more invested in the experience of ‘seeing’ itself. Editor: This makes me reconsider the intention behind what is being represented. It isn't necessarily about Balchik itself, but rather...the feeling of Balchik? Thank you! Curator: A painting such as this demands close consideration to formal technique; its material construction becomes an invitation for exploration. This kind of attentiveness might change your interpretation altogether.