Letter 1966

Jirí Balcar created this print titled ‘Letter’ in 1966. The image is a dense field of lines and shapes that resemble handwriting, but the text is illegible, more like coded symbols. The overall impression is one of abstraction, where the act of writing becomes a visual form rather than a means of communication. Balcar's interest lies in the structure and texture of the written word. The lines vary in thickness and direction, creating a dynamic composition that invites the viewer to explore its surface. The density of the marks challenges traditional ideas about space and meaning. The absence of clear textual content draws attention to the materiality of the print itself. By focusing on the form rather than the content of the letter, Balcar challenges the idea of fixed meaning. The artwork becomes a site for individual interpretation, inviting us to consider how visual elements create meaning beyond the literal. This abstraction suggests that the essence of communication may lie not in the words themselves, but in the underlying structure and rhythm of expression.