First Night I 1979

Aki Kuroda made First Night I, and what strikes me first is the confident simplicity of the materials. It’s a monochrome world of stark contrasts. There are horizontal bars, and within and below them, these floating calligraphic white marks, like something between writing and dream imagery, where the paint is neither too thick nor thin, but just right. Notice how the white marks in the lower section drip and drag, a physical record of the artist's hand, contrasting with the more controlled, deliberate marks above. The texture is smooth, allowing the contrast to speak volumes. It reminds me a little bit of Franz Kline’s work but with an added layer of poetic symbolism. Ultimately, this piece embraces the beauty of ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the canvas. Art is always a conversation, isn't it?