White Smile 2010

Bruno Jakob made "White Smile," using, well, what did he use? String and paper, maybe? He seems to be interested in showing you a process that’s almost not there. The single white rectangle suspended from the ceiling invites us to consider the nature of art itself. It is so simple it appears almost ethereal. I notice the contrast with the pile of chairs; they’re substantial and grounded while the rectangle is weightless. Jakob uses the texture, color, and surface of ordinary materials to evoke emotion. The piece is very minimal, yet it creates a resonant feeling of emptiness and loss. It’s so subtle, a whisper rather than a shout. I can't help but think of Agnes Martin, another artist who created minimalist works that are full of emotion. This piece is like a question mark, inviting us to fill the space with our own thoughts and feelings. Art is always an ongoing conversation, after all.