Red Plastic 1961

Alberto Burri made 'Red Plastic' out of, well, red plastic, and some paint, maybe some fire? You know, painting is kind of like alchemy. It's not just about what you put on the canvas, but how you transform it. In this work the plastic is stretched and singed. The painting almost feels like a scar, a memento, or the skin of something alive. You can imagine Burri, in his studio wrestling with the materials. It's about experimentation, pushing boundaries, making these things come alive on a canvas. You can almost feel the heat, the tension, the struggle. It's a visceral experience. Burri’s work reminds us that art is not just about pretty pictures; it’s about process, transformation, and the courage to experiment. He’s in conversation with other painters, like Fontana and Manzoni, but also with a whole history of artists who are willing to take risks and challenge the status quo.