La notte 2016

Editor: Lech Jankowski's "La Notte," created in 2016 with oil paint, presents a really dark and intriguing atmosphere. It feels vast, and a bit ominous, almost like looking into a deep, unknown space. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s interesting you mention the feeling of the unknown. Consider how the title, "La Notte" - The Night - frames our understanding. The artist’s choice to use abstraction removes specific narratives. However, that almost cavernous darkness becomes a kind of stage. A stage for what, exactly? Think about the time in which this was painted – 2016. What societal anxieties might this reflect? Editor: I guess a lot was going on in 2016 politically... elections, global instability. Could this darkness symbolize those anxieties? Curator: Precisely. The two shapes at the top could be interpreted as watchful eyes or even distant planets, creating a sense of being observed. The lines at the bottom... are they prison bars? Are they shafts of light? Perhaps the painting’s strength is in its ambiguity. Editor: I didn't even think of the shapes at the top as eyes, but I can definitely see it. The ambiguity makes it hard to pin down one meaning. Is that intentional on the artist’s part, do you think? Curator: Very possibly. By offering few concrete clues, Jankowski invites the viewer to project their own feelings and fears onto the work. Think about the institution of the museum itself: Does the sterile white wall amplify or dampen that feeling of anxiety that we're talking about? Editor: It's almost like the museum becomes a safe space to contemplate something unsettling. Curator: Exactly! It provides a space to examine complex issues that society might find difficult otherwise. I appreciate how your reading helps contextualize this painting. Editor: I’ve never really considered how the surrounding environment influences my understanding, so thank you!