Pliage (Folded Painting) 1971

Andre-Pierre Arnal's "Pliage (Folded Painting)" is a painting created through a process of folding, unfolding, and imprinting with a limited palette of reds and creams. Imagine Arnal in his studio, meticulously folding the canvas, pressing color into the creases, and then revealing the hidden geometry beneath. The resulting image offers a meditation on repetition, symmetry, and the unpredictable nature of process. The paint is thin, almost stained into the fabric, allowing the texture of the canvas to peek through. The folds create sharp lines that bisect the painting, creating triangular shapes that are at once stable and dynamic. It makes me think of the minimalist gestures of Sol LeWitt or the playful geometries of Frank Stella. Arnal's work reminds us that painting is always in conversation with itself. Each artist builds upon the discoveries of those who came before, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It's a lineage of experimentation, innovation, and above all, a deep love for the medium.