The Canvas of Encounter. Tàpies
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Antoni Tàpies, Porta metàl·lica i violí, 1956, 200 x 150 x 13 cm.
Back then I learned that the painter’s
gesture contains both the movement of the planet
and the blade of grass on the mountain.
In his wrist I saw the tree bent
by the wind moan, love’s dawning,
the fruits of the night,
and night wind love.
One can read in these paintings
the unruly footprints on the peeling
wall, the chalk and anonymous
whimper, the firmament and attachment,
ropes, cries, the daily
alphabet, chair and closet,
the destructive X that takes over
space and being, the destruction
that is construction, the red and violin
on the metallic door, the nothingness
and the ecstasy: the canvas of encounter.
Translation from the Spanish
By Arthur Dixon & Daniel Simon