Onda 1982

Curator: Standing before us is "Onda," a work from 1982 by Ettore Spalletti. Its minimalist composition immediately strikes you, doesn't it? Editor: It does. My initial impression is one of serenity. The soft, muted pinks and the gentle wave-like form create a very calming, almost meditative mood. Curator: Spalletti was deeply engaged in exploring form and color, and "Onda," primarily crafted with acrylic paint and ink, is a quintessential example. It exemplifies Color Field painting through subtle tonal variation, offering a tangible representation of the poetics of space. Consider how geometric form is made sensual through colour. Editor: That makes me think about accessibility in art institutions, as the colour field offers something immediate, but then invites further inspection, something tangible regardless of art-historical training. I find it particularly interesting when viewing artwork produced in the 1980's. So much was going on during this time. Can you contextualize Spalletti's "Onda" with historical events? Curator: Well, during the 1980's the Western art world saw postmodernism rise, challenging many of the formal concerns evident in the Color Field painters before him. "Onda" thus becomes interesting, as his formalist investigation quietly defies those art-world expectations. Editor: Right. It is also worthwhile to remember how this moment of postmodern turn affected identity, class and the global south. So, in that moment where art begins a turn to grapple with identities and representation more directly, we have Spalletti offering us quiet respite, meditation on pure form and tonal explorations, a soothing response amidst political turbulence? Curator: Precisely! It becomes almost revolutionary in its seeming simplicity and refusal to engage in the chaotic narratives so present at that time. Its power lies in providing space to feel, rather than to analyze. Editor: I like that, yes, a silent disruption. Looking at "Onda" now, I feel a deeper appreciation for its subtlety. It makes you contemplate the very essence of existence through art and what art can do for society in these turbulent times. Curator: It does urge one to reconsider how simplicity can speak volumes, even in complex, critical socio-political situations. Editor: It seems like the role of beauty should be given more consideration, not only in how we receive art, but as an art's potential for political agency as well.