HIMMA 2020

Editor: Right, let's talk about "HIMMA" by Sergio Mario Illuminato, created in 2020. It seems to be a mix of acrylic and something called matter-painting, which I find intriguing! Initially, I get this earthy, almost primordial feeling from it, disrupted by that electric blue slash. What jumps out at you when you see this piece? Curator: It's interesting you say "primordial." That clash, that stark juxtaposition is really where the energy lies, isn’t it? For me, "HIMMA" is all about this raw, immediate feeling. I find myself thinking about geologic time... Layers upon layers of earth and then suddenly this vibrant interruption of the now, the electric. Is it hope piercing through, or something else? Does that resonance come through to you as well, this layering and almost violence of colour meeting colour? Editor: Absolutely, I can see that layering now! I was so focused on the blue, but the texture is incredible. It almost looks like the artist scraped away at the surface to reveal these different strata. It’s definitely intense. Do you see any references to art history here? It’s giving me some vague expressionist vibes. Curator: Yes, those expressionist roots are undeniable! Think of the *Sturm und Drang* movement - that pursuit of emotion, the willingness to distort and unsettle. The artist uses impasto so confidently and powerfully. Think about the physicality of that gesture. The very act of applying paint becomes expressive. Do you get any sense of narrative, any kind of 'story' beyond the purely emotional impact? Editor: I hadn’t considered narrative! But now that you mention it, maybe that blue *is* a river cutting through rock, shaping the landscape… It's funny, I came in seeing abstraction, but now I'm seeing… something else! Curator: Exactly! And that’s the joy, isn't it? To discover a new story each time, to feel the dialogue evolving with each viewing. Editor: That's been super helpful to see that progression. Thanks.