Abstract 2 1958

René Marcil made this painting, Abstract 2, using oil on canvas, and it’s a real trip. The canvas is divided into different zones, almost like different worlds bumping up against one another. I’m drawn to the blue area on the left. There’s something about the way Marcil layers the blues, from a light sky blue to a deep navy, that gives it real depth. Look at the eye floating in this zone - there’s a bright green dot for the pupil. It feels like Marcil is suggesting an alternative vision. The different zones are separated by bold lines and shapes. It’s not blended or subtle, but direct, almost urgent. This work reminds me a little of some of the early work by Joan Miró, where he was simplifying forms down to their essence. But where Miró is often playful and whimsical, Marcil feels more…intense? Maybe it’s the boldness of the colors, or the way the shapes seem to be pressing in on each other. Anyway, it’s a reminder that art is not about answers, but about opening up possibilities.