Alphabetical Volcano (Volcan Alphabétique) 1970

Editor: We’re looking at "Alphabetical Volcano" by Pierre Alechinsky, created in 1970 using mixed media with ink and drawing. It feels chaotic, almost like a child’s drawing, yet I also sense a deliberate arrangement of elements. What is your interpretation of this work? Curator: I see this piece as reflecting the spirit of Art Informel. Consider the sociopolitical context of post-World War II Europe, where established structures were crumbling. Alechinsky, like other artists associated with this movement, was grappling with that breakdown by rejecting traditional artistic conventions. Do you notice the seemingly spontaneous gestures, the lack of clear representation? It’s as if he's letting the subconscious take over, challenging the role of rationality. Editor: I do. It’s interesting how the alphabetical order provides a structure, but the chaotic imagery almost subverts that structure. It seems to suggest an attempt to impose order on something inherently volatile. Is there a political message in there too? Curator: I think the political dimension is implicit. Art Informel was, in many ways, a rejection of the ideologies that led to the war. The emphasis on individual expression, free from rigid doctrines, can be seen as a form of resistance. Furthermore, the very act of creating art outside of institutional constraints was a statement in itself. The volcano imagery suggests suppressed emotions or societal unrest about to erupt. What do you think about that idea? Editor: That makes perfect sense! So it's about individual and collective feelings rising from underneath society. It's making me think about censorship. I suppose an image like this would cause discomfort. Curator: Absolutely. That unease is part of its power. By disrupting visual norms, Alechinsky invites us to question the social norms of the period as well. I've definitely enjoyed this deep dive into political undercurrents! Editor: Me too. Looking at art with such a sociopolitical focus makes a big difference!