Combinatory system 1973

Curator: Let's consider "Combinatory System," a 1973 piece crafted by Florin Maxa. The medium here is acrylic paint. It presents three vertically oriented, subtly undulating canvases. Editor: They almost look like topographical maps, viewed through the lens of a rusty, Mars-like filter. Stark, geometric—it gives me a real "end of the world, but make it chic" kind of vibe. Is that just me? Curator: The hard-edge painting style that Maxa adopts highlights his interest in the systemic arrangement of forms, quite characteristic of his broader engagement with abstract expressionism and minimalist approaches. It mirrors trends from that era that sought objectivity through geometric simplicity. Editor: Okay, I get the historical angle, but what about the feeling? It's strangely unsettling. Like looking at something synthetic trying to mimic nature, yet failing spectacularly. And that repetition… are we meant to see a sequence here? Curator: The title, "Combinatory System," nudges us to see relationships among the three canvases. This speaks to the post-war exploration of system art and a quest to define order—an echo, perhaps, of broader societal attempts to rebuild after devastation. Editor: Ah, okay, so it's less "chic apocalypse" and more "struggling to find structure in the debris." I still think they look like fancy napkins designed for a robot dinner party though. But now a much more emotionally complex robot! Curator: I think your intuitive read enriches an understanding of its period. The color palette certainly conveys that feeling of being grounded or earthy, fitting for the sociopolitical sentiment after post-war devastation. Editor: So, we've got earthy hues, hard lines, a system trying to organize… It’s like a controlled burn of emotion disguised as high art. Well, I think I may have warmed up to those robot napkins a little bit! Curator: And hopefully our listeners too! Maxa's piece definitely exemplifies that impulse to find harmony amidst potential chaos in times of great upheaval. Editor: Definitely given me a bit to chew on.