20,320 kg – Jicé

Analysis of the work 20,320 kg by Jicé

The work 20,320 kg by Jicé , of large dimensions (196 x 113 cm), is part of an industrial theme specific to the artist. The relationship between man and the world of working class work is at the heart of the composition. In this work, Jicé explores the tensions between the imposing heaviness present in the industrial environment and the physical vulnerability of humans. The scene is powerful and symbolic.

Composition and perspective: The composition is structured around two main elements: the worker on the center-right, and the enormous industrial mass with which he seems to confront. This contrast between the man's posture, folded, and the massiveness of the structure creates a visual tension. The void on the left of the composition reinforces the impression of the character's isolation and fragility. The gray background, raw and textured, recalls the coldness of metal or concrete. It highlights the technical inscription indicating “20,320 kg”, the imposing weight of the load. This textual element, typical of the inscriptions on industrial containers, reinforces a functional and impersonal aspect.

Colors and light: The color palette used by Jicé is dominated here by metallic tones, cold grays and burning oranges. The metallic gray which occupies the majority of the canvas reinforces the feeling of hardness and austerity of this industrial space. On the right, pops of bright orange and yellow burst around the mass. This creates a striking contrast with the monochrome background. This use of colors may evoke the brightly painted safety equipment found in industrial environments to ensure visibility. The light seems to emanate from the right side of the composition, illuminating the character, while the left part remains plunged in shadow. Light becomes an element that highlights the scene. It bathes the worker in a more intimate glow.

The character and context: The central character is represented realistically, dressed in work attire. His posture, squatting, places him in an attitude of humility in the face of the imposing mass which dominates the scene. This contrast is essential in reading the work. The mass weighs with all its weight. It is recalled by the inscription “20,320 kg”. The precision of this weight is not a trivial detail: it symbolizes the heaviness of the technology, the precision and the brute force that it embodies. The link between man and this mass of 20,320 kg is ambiguous. Is he manipulating her, monitoring her? Jicé seems to suggest that the balance is precarious. Technical inscription, with its impersonal codes and figures, underlines the dehumanized aspect of the industrial world, where individuals are often reduced to simple operators.

Technique: Jicé uses a mixed technique made of acrylic and oil paint, as well as various mediums. The aim is to reinforce the visual impact of the work. The textured gray background, rough and worn, evokes metallic surfaces aged by time and use. This texture gives a feeling of raw reality to the scene. The work of the material on the surfaces suggests a story of labor, wear, and weight, both metaphorical and literal. The surfaces are marked by time, with traces of worn paint. This treatment gives the whole thing a certain aesthetic nobility.

Symbolism and interpretation: The title of the work, 20,320 kg , refers to the weight handled, and its inscription on the canvas immediately takes us back to a technical and industrial universe. This figure, both precise and disproportionate, becomes a symbol of the burden that man must manage. It is also a metaphor for what modern man imposes on himself. The work asks the question about technology, both liberating and enslaving. It allows us to accomplish great things, but also places us in a certain vulnerability in the face of our fragile condition.