Bivest + 1 1965

Gianni Piacentino made 'Bivest + 1' and I’m immediately struck by how the process of creating simple geometric shapes can be so alluring. These blocks of color, a dark, cool violet, sitting next to a creamy, pale yellow and a salmon-y pink, feel quietly radical. The surface seems almost suede-like, which is a surprise - a totally smooth, matte finish. I love how the colors almost feel like they’re whispering to each other, creating a subtle tension. Piacentino creates a spatial puzzle by slightly offsetting the central block of color. I can’t help but think about artists like Josef Albers or Agnes Martin, who also used simple forms and limited palettes to explore the emotive power of color. These three colours feel so different from each other, and yet they’re held together in perfect balance. It’s a testament to the idea that art doesn't always need to shout to be heard, it can whisper too.