Structural 4 2014

Rodrigo Franzao made this painting, “Structural 4,” with what looks like a real dedication to process. I imagine him working intently, maybe even obsessively, making each mark with precision. What strikes me is how the geometric forms are so bold in their color and shape, yet are surrounded by this almost chaotic web of lines. The texture of the paint looks smooth and flat in some areas, like the blocks of yellow and green, which makes a real contrast to the background with its layered, radiating lines. I keep coming back to the way these lines seem to burst outwards, which is almost dizzying, like looking into some sort of geometric explosion or maybe a screen test for an early video game. This reminds me of Sol LeWitt's wall drawings, which similarly explore line, form and color, but there's a raw energy here that sets it apart. It's this blend of order and chaos that really grabs me. It makes you wonder, what is structure anyway? Is it a rigid set of rules, or is it something that can bend, break, and still hold its form?