Landscapes of NY, 'Ilusión en el puente de Williamsburg' 1997

This large painting, made by Pablo Rey, layers color and line to evoke a very specific landmark: the Williamsburg Bridge. Rey isn't interested in a photo-realist depiction. Instead, he uses horizontal striations to create a sense of depth and movement, almost like the blurred vision you might experience rushing across the bridge. The flecks and dashes of paint add texture, reminiscent of the grit and grime of the urban environment. It’s interesting how Rey employs such simple means, a kind of systematic mark-making, to capture something so monumental. This approach invites us to consider how industrial structures impact our perception, shaping our understanding of space and time. By emphasizing process and material, Rey bridges the gap between abstraction and representation, suggesting that even the most mundane elements can convey the essence of a place.