Calligraphy Rhapsody: Retrospective Exhibition of Georges Mathieu

Since everyone has written their serious essays and texts about this exhibition I decided to not even try to repeat it myself. So here is my absolutely not serious text.
Visiting art exhibitions can be intimidating and confusing sometimes, especially when it’s abstract art we are talking about. But fear not! Here some easy tricks that can help you to sound more professional.
Tip number one. Don’t push yourself into having an opinion. Give yourself some time, and if someone is demanding your response say that you are still processing.
Tip number two. Words and phrases to use: gestural, expressive, capturing the movement. Because look at these blasts and lines! Try to trace some of the brushstrokes — on a respectful distance from the surface of a painting — imagine how these lines were created. See: gestural.
Tip number three. Look closer. Some of the lines are applied straight out of tube (the painter used the term “tubism” but I personally think art world is already overloaded with strange words), some are made with diluted paint, some are smudged, some are drippings. Show off and say you are astonished by the brushstrokes’ energy and composition.
Bonus pro-tip. When you absolutely don’t know what to say make a ambiguous lyrical face and say the works are very evocative.

Exhibition period: 19.05 – 4.07.21
Venue address: 6/F, K11 Musea, TST