Assonometria blu 1969

Rodolfo Arico made ‘Assonometria blu’ using a strikingly geometrical structure of shapes. I can imagine Arico in his studio, carefully constructing the painting's surface from separate panels, each a slightly different tone of blue. See how the panels have been joined with thin lines, dissecting the surface into a series of planes and angles.   The color feels quite considered; it’s a dark blue, but it almost feels velvety and soft to the touch. This dark ground encourages the eye to explore the subtle shifts in the composition. You know, it reminds me a little of some of the geometric paintings of Carmen Herrera, or even Agnes Martin. Painters have always borrowed ideas from one another. I think Arico is asking us to slow down, to really see. It's like he's saying, 'Hey, look at this world I've made out of color and shape. What do you see in it?'