Untitled 1965

Edward Krasinski made this untitled construction sometime in the twentieth century out of wood, paint and adhesive tape. It looks as though the black paint has been brushed over the surface of the wood in thin layers, allowing the materiality of the support to show through. I like how the application of paint isn’t about hiding anything, but rather accentuating a process of building and layering. The contrast between the flat matte block at the bottom and the slender vertical element is so elegant. The black gradients applied to the top portion of the pole create a sense of infinite depth, as though the object might extend beyond our perception. The red tape is a nice touch too, a kind of graphic intervention that disrupts the illusion of space. There’s something playful about the ways in which this piece relates to the work of other constructivist artists such as Tatlin. Unlike his austere material aesthetic, however, there’s an informality and lightness of touch here which opens up a space for humor and ambiguity.