Look-Out Post (Poste d'observation) 1968

"Look-Out Post," made by Pierre Alechinsky, presents a captivating scene, likely emerging through the spontaneous interaction of ink and plate. I can almost feel Alechinsky's hand moving across the surface, guided by intuition. What’s especially striking is the contrast between the dense, almost chaotic, lines and the quiet stillness of the perched birds. The way the ink bleeds and pools in certain areas suggests a willingness to embrace chance and accident, allowing the medium to speak. Did he plan it all, or did he allow the image to grow organically, through trial and error? This print reminds me of Joan Miró’s playful sense of imagery, or maybe Henri Michaux’s ink drawings, those explorations of the subconscious. It is as if Alechinsky is in conversation with these artists, riffing on their ideas, and pushing the boundaries of representation.