Asimmetria reticolare 1950

Mario Ballocco made this painting called, Asimmetria reticolare, and right away, it's the relationship between the positive and negative space that grabs you. It’s like a game of Tetris, where the pieces haven’t quite locked into place. The black shapes feel like velvet, don't they? Against the pale background, they almost seem to float. There’s a real physicality to this piece. The paint isn't just lying there flat; you can see the artist's hand in the way it's applied. Look at the lower left corner, see how the black bleeds slightly? It’s a small detail, but it brings the whole thing to life. Ballocco's interest in light and colour reminds me a little of Josef Albers, you know, the way he teases out the subtle nuances of a limited palette? It’s a conversation about seeing, feeling, and the endless possibilities of abstraction.