Parakeet 2019

Editor: We're looking at Cristiano Tassinari's "Parakeet" from 2019, a contemporary painting with oil and gouache elements. The first thing that strikes me is the rather somber, almost gothic, mood evoked by the subdued palette. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: Indeed, it’s hard to ignore the muted tones. But I wonder if that darkness also reflects the precarious state of our environment? Consider the single bird perched on what looks like a decaying branch. Does this evoke the isolation of nature amidst environmental collapse for you? How does Tassinari position nature here in relation to the Anthropocene? Editor: That's a compelling reading. I was focusing more on the formal aspects, but your perspective adds a layer of socio-political commentary I hadn't fully considered. The parakeet almost becomes a symbol, then, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely! And it also invites us to reflect on the historical representation of birds in art, from emblems of freedom to symbols of captivity. How does Tassinari subvert or play with those historical narratives here? Is it perhaps commenting on the human desire to possess or control nature, represented by keeping birds as pets? Editor: I hadn't thought about that, but now that you mention it, the almost melancholic gaze of the bird does seem to suggest a kind of captivity, perhaps not physical, but environmental or symbolic. Curator: Exactly. So, considering the materiality, do you think Tassinari's choice to combine oil and gouache contributes to the artwork’s meaning? What does that mixed medium offer in terms of conveying that environmental concern? Editor: I think the gouache softens the image, creating this almost dreamlike state that contrasts the sharp reality of the climate crisis that you mention, whereas the oil paints add a certain gravitas. Overall, looking at the piece from an activist angle adds so many interesting interpretations! Curator: Absolutely, and remembering the constant conversations surrounding representation within environmental art, it helps reveal the artwork’s relevance to current intersectional narratives.