Octavius 1963

Editor: This is Rudy Pozzatti's "Octavius," created in 1963 using graphite. The mood feels both classical and a bit haunted, with the fragmented portrait emerging from the darkness. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, it’s lovely, isn’t it? It’s as though Octavius himself is peering through time, or perhaps through the veil of memory. The use of graphite gives it a sort of ephemeral quality, doesn’t it? Like a fading dream. Notice how the traditional portrait format is subverted by the almost violent marks surrounding the figure - there is so much frantic motion, and an overall visual cacophany! I find that truly exciting. Editor: It really does feel like a memory, especially the way the background seems to encroach on the figure. Do you think that contrast –the defined face versus the chaotic background – was intentional? Curator: Absolutely! I think Pozzatti wanted to suggest the chaos of history, perhaps, pressing in on the individual. Octavius isn’t just a historical figure here; he’s a symbol caught within the turbulent currents of time, a very modern reflection if I may add. Editor: So, it's not just about who Octavius was, but what he represents, viewed through the lens of the 20th century. That certainly gives me a lot to ponder. Curator: Yes, exactly! The piece beautifully shows us how the past, and our view of the past, is really always in flux. Art keeps life so interesting!