Rain Paris (A) 1960

Kiyoshi Saito created this woodblock print, Rain Paris (A), with what seems like humble materials, but look how powerful it is. Saito's process here is all about reduction; paring down the scene to its essential elements. I love how Saito captures the feel of a drizzly day with these tiny hatched marks. The surface is alive with texture, like you can almost feel the dampness in the air. These marks really construct the scene. They remind me of the way Cy Twombly used to make marks, like code, it's not about representing something perfectly, but more about capturing a feeling. That stark black silhouette of the figure with the umbrella anchors the whole composition, doesn't it? It's such a simple shape, but it speaks volumes about solitude and urban life. With a limited palette, Saito evokes a whole world, much like the Japanese masters. Both artists understand that art is an ongoing conversation, a back-and-forth across time and cultures.