540 – Jicé

Jicé 's work 540

In the work 540 , Jicé stages a symbolic composition between a probably maritime wall, a letter and a watch. The whole thing is enigmatic and evokes a reflection on time, measurement and message. Jicé manages here to merge the visual language of industry with that of maritime adventure.

Composition and structure: The composition is divided into two distinct parts, on the left, an industrial measuring scale where we see “5.40” and “5.60”, and on the right, a letter and a watch. This juxtaposition of elements establishes a visual dialogue between the precision of industrial measurements and the more dreamlike evocation of the message. The graduated lines and numbers, engraved in the material, anchor the work in a mechanical and functional aesthetic, reminiscent of the markings often found on ships or port infrastructures. At the same time, the maritime evocation, although subtle, adds a poetic dimension to the work.

Colors and Textures: 540 's color palette is dominated by earthy tones, with warm hues of orange, rust, brown, and pops of blue. These shades evoke both the wear and tear of metal, the patina of time on industrial surfaces and the sea. The texture of the canvas is rich, and the traces of material, particularly around the numbers, give the impression that these surfaces have been marked by time and the elements. The effect of rust and corrosion contributes to a feeling of the passage of time, where the material evolves and transforms. The addition of blue shades at the bottom of the canvas evokes the sea and water, reinforcing the link with the idea of ​​navigation. Water seems to appear as a fluid and moving element, in contrast with the rigidity of the measuring scale which symbolizes permanence and stability.

Symbolism and interpretation: The number “5.40” is highlighted in the work, suggesting a measurement, scale or benchmark. This number could represent depth, an essential element in the maritime world, or even a form of beacon in the industrial world. The graduations evoke technical markings, but placed in this pictorial context, they take on a more symbolic dimension: the measurement of something invisible, perhaps time, the journey of life. The two objects placed on the wall, a letter and a watch, provide a symbolic richness which opens the way to several interpretations. The letter can symbolize a message left for the future or for an unknown recipient. It could be a sign of interrupted communication, a reminder of human exchanges in a professional context. It is closed, ready to send and may represent something that is pending, an action or a decision that has not yet been made. The watch signifies the passage of time, urgency or waiting. It adds a human dimension to this control of time, recalling the fragility of human life. In any case, the simultaneous presence of the letter and the watch creates a tension between the idea of ​​waiting, of communication and that of time passing. Together, they perhaps evoke a broken correspondence or connection, or a reflection on how memories and unfulfilled actions eventually fade.