Marina 

Editor: Here we have Ion Pacea's "Marina," an oil painting that seems to be an abstract expressionist take on a seascape. The strong blues really set the tone. What visual cues or cultural symbols do you see present in this work? Curator: The dominance of blue immediately recalls not just the ocean, but a depth, both physical and emotional. Water, in art and myth, is often a symbol of the subconscious, of hidden depths and primordial power. But look at how the sailboats are rendered: geometric, almost reduced to their simplest forms. This abstraction serves as a departure from realism and delves into what a sailboat *represents*—exploration, journey, a connection to the unknown. Don't you think the expressionist strokes communicate an almost primal feel? Editor: Yes, the colors, while bright, give me that sense. Like the memory of a sunny day by the sea. The sailboats become symbols themselves rather than literal depictions. But, in what way? Curator: Consider that ships have historically represented the self embarking on a journey, literally or metaphorically. Even cityscapes can be about navigating a complex social landscape. Pacea reduces it all to pure shape and color—allowing us to feel the essence of that experience, free from narrative. What emotions arise when you focus on a specific form? Editor: The bold strokes give the painting an energy. It seems to speak of constant movement, the vibrant color adds to the mood. Thinking of it that way, the abstraction pushes me to make the narrative instead of it being handed to me. Curator: Precisely. Pacea offers the building blocks. This allows a space for personal mythology. Every viewer will recognize personal continuity from one moment to the next. What will you call this visual echo in time? Editor: I hadn't considered it quite that way. I’ll be thinking about that symbolism and construction for some time to come. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. It's a potent work, one that remains suggestive.