Silenzi 2005

Grazia Varisco made this geometric construction, "Silenzi," with a real knack for negative space. It's all about how you create a sense of depth and structure using stark contrast, in this case just black and white. You can really see how the process of reduction and simplification can be just as powerful as adding layers. What strikes me most is how Varisco plays with positive and negative forms. The black shapes act as a framework, almost like the lead in a stained-glass window, defining the white spaces. The surface looks smooth, like it was carefully cut and assembled, and the matte black gives it a sense of quietness. It’s almost like a puzzle, where each shape has to be just right to hold the whole thing together. This piece makes me think of Sol LeWitt, who also explored geometric forms, but Varisco brings a kind of understated elegance that's all her own. Ultimately, "Silenzi" shows us that art isn't just about what's there, but also about what's deliberately left out.