Hilos de Agua, Squares Within a Grid, 2 1999

Cesar Paternosto’s Hilos de Agua, Squares Within a Grid, 2 is constructed of lines of orange and blue that intersect to form the titular grid. This is how process emerges, right? You start with a simple premise, a grid, and then the real fun begins. The subtle variations in color, like the way the orange shifts in tone as it goes around a square, create a sense of depth and movement. These hues give the impression of threads of water, which is reflected in the title. It’s a kind of casual drawing that reminds me of Agnes Martin but with a playful twist. Look closely, and you'll notice the hand of the artist; they are not perfect, mechanical lines, but marks that reveal the gesture. This is a drawing about openness and the embrace of chance. I appreciate how Paternosto's work encourages us to slow down and really look, to find meaning in the simplest of forms. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always need to shout; sometimes, the quietest voices are the most profound.