Plate from 17 variazioni su temi proposti per una pura ideologia fonetica 1955

This is a plate by Alberto Burri, part of a series of variations exploring pure phonetic ideology. It's like a spread from a weird, material notebook. I love the contrast between the pristine, untouched page on the left and the chaotic, textural explosion on the right. Imagine Burri in his studio, wrestling with these materials. It's as though he’s collaging with what’s leftover: scraps of something leathery, or papery. The surface looks burnt or distressed, punctuated by these stark white voids, with a single flash of red. I love how Burri embraces imperfection and decay, transforming humble materials into something really compelling. You could see the influence of Schwitters' collages, but with a darker, more visceral edge. It is a reminder that artists are always in dialogue, pushing and pulling at each other’s ideas across time.