Ovali 1970

Editor: Right, let’s talk about Turi Simeti's "Ovali" from 1970, a mixed-media relief that feels incredibly subtle and calming. There's this repetition of oval shapes that’s almost meditative. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Meditative is spot on! To me, it's like Simeti is inviting us into a hushed conversation with light and shadow. You see the serial arrangement, but it’s not rigid, is it? It's got a pulse. Think about Italy in the late '60s and early '70s. There was a real yearning for simplicity and a desire to move beyond the chaos of the world. This monochromatic relief, for me, becomes almost a quiet rebellion. What does the repetition of forms evoke for you? Editor: I guess it makes me think about minimalism and finding beauty in simplicity. But it's also… sort of unassuming? Like it could easily blend into the background. Curator: Exactly! It demands a certain attentiveness. The subtle relief forces you to move around it, to witness the shifting dance of light. It is in the play of the light that the oval shapes become defined and the subtle work stands out, isn't it interesting how he elevates simplicity to something deeply engaging? The apparent blandness veils a sensitive work of art that keeps giving when one looks. Editor: It's definitely made me think about how less can be so much more. It almost feels like you have to slow down to really *see* it. Curator: Yes, I also see that now that you've highlighted it! It seems Simeti wants to invite us into a state of mindful awareness. A reminder that beauty resides in those everyday details. Editor: Well, I’ll certainly be looking at minimalist art a little differently now. Thanks!