Violet-Red Small Pole, I 1966

Gianni Piacentino made this "Violet-Red Small Pole, I" and you can tell he was really thinking about color and form, and how they play off each other in a space. Look at that violet-red—it’s so clean, so contained! The surface is smooth, almost like it's been lacquered, making the color pop even more. I wonder what kind of tools he used to get it so perfect? There’s this funny tension between the industrial feel and the handmade quality. It’s so precise, yet you can still feel the human touch in the application of the paint. It reminds me a bit of early Stella, but with a touch more warmth, you know? Piacentino’s work, like a lot of great art, doesn't give you all the answers. It's more about opening up a conversation, making you think about how you see things.