Flat-out Fantastic

graphite & putty eraser/30x20cm

Being another example of the aluminium can ‘roadkill’ diptych sub-series, this found-object presented itself as a suitable model primarily through the sharp-edged folding to which its form had been subjected during the flattening process it had obviously undergone (seemingly over the course of numerous, repeated occasions, to the point of almost perfect two-dimensionality: in cricketing parlance, it appears to have been gone over, carefully, with a heavy roller). This in turn suggested a particular correspondence with certain examples of both Braque's & Picasso’s Cubist painting, of the period 1911-12 when such practice was developing into what might be termed a refined state (its so-called 'Hermetic' phase), characterised by an explicit flattening of depth towards the picture surface & faceting of forms into overlapping planes, giving the whole a fragmented, shattered appearance: note too the application of lettering in the form of truncated words & (brand) names which of course finds an echo in the brand identity of the can’s livery.


Georges Braque 'The Portuguese'
oil on canvas/1911


Pablo Picasso 'Ma Jolie'
oil on canvas/1911-12

Soundtrack:


New Order 'Movement'
The Associates 'Fourth Drawer Down'/'Sulk'
Portishead 'Third'