Sprayed Picture 1965

Charlotte Posenenske created this "Sprayed Picture," using a modern medium to explore fundamental visual concepts. Here, a stark division cleaves the pictorial plane into two distinct realms: one pristine and untouched, the other marked by the chaotic dispersion of pigment. This act of division brings to mind the ancient Roman concept of the "Pomarium," a sacred boundary ritually plowed to demarcate the city's limits. In the artwork, the sprayed pigment evokes a sense of primal energy, like the restless spirits dwelling beyond the city walls. Yet, it also reflects a conscious effort to control and contain, echoing the Roman's attempt to define and protect their domain. The contrast between the structured and the unstructured engages our subconscious. We are drawn into a play between order and chaos, a tension that resonates deep within our collective memory. This is not just a visual experience; it is a dialogue with the very forces that shape our world and our understanding of it.