Untitled 

Curator: Well, here we have an untitled work by Albert Rafols-Casamada, realized with acrylic paint. Editor: It's striking! The initial feel is very serene. That expanse of blue really invites you in. The geometric shapes almost seem to float across the surface. Curator: Indeed. It would be useful to explore the material qualities to gain a more comprehensive appreciation of this particular example of abstraction. Rafols-Casamada was very interested in challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and what was generally accepted as simple craft, particularly during this stage in his career. How is the idea of production relevant here, would you say? Editor: I see how the relative lack of traditional depth in the painting puts materiality front and center. Instead, the arrangement emphasizes formal relations: shape, color, and line are foregrounded and allowed to breathe within the structure of the picture plane. The relationships created invite contemplation on a purely aesthetic level. Curator: Interesting you point that out. Now, how might that interact with an understanding of postwar Barcelona? Rafols-Casamada, being actively engaged with his local setting, found himself increasingly aligned with modern styles, particularly those born out of expressionism and abstraction. I find that this context underscores the inherent material tensions of his time, considering how society and cultural structures affected the way he worked as a craftsperson. Editor: From my viewpoint, it is like a serene visual poem where minimalist lines articulate their dance across the cerulean backdrop; it is far more emotional than material. It gives off an atmosphere of lightness. There seems to be an underlying rhythm across this atemporal blue. Curator: And there’s much to learn from considering the history of production here, I think. Thank you for taking a look at this intriguing piece! Editor: My pleasure!