Urban lights – Jicé

Analysis of the work “Urban Lights” by Jicé

The painting is part of an industrial and urban aesthetic, which evokes the visual and emotional contrasts of a landscape marked by this type of architecture. Looking at this work, we notice the precision brought to the rendering of the material and the atmosphere, which reinforces the idea of ​​a city that is both alive and decaying. The passing of time is reflected on the indistinct architectural forms.

Jicé uses a traditional technique of oil painting on linen canvas, which gives his work a particular aesthetic richness. Linen canvas, renowned for its strength and its ability to absorb layers of paint in a balanced manner, allows the artist to play with effects of transparency and opacity. Jicé takes full advantage of the flexibility of this medium, which dries slowly and gives the paint a thick, almost sculptural texture in places. This slow drying also allows for subtle touch-ups and nuanced transitions between colors. The contrast between the smooth parts and the more textured sections reinforces the tension between the raw materiality of the urban landscape and the ethereal lighting effects. This technique gives the work a durability and timeless depth, evoking the solidity of industrial structures.

The color palette centers around neutral tones, with a predominance of off-white, gray and earthy brown. These colors evoke the harshness of concrete, industrial materials, and the diffuse lights of the city at dusk or under a hazy sky. The contrast between bright and dark areas immediately draws the eye to elements that appear intertwined, creating a layering of geometric shapes. These shapes are reminiscent of anonymous buildings and architectural structures, symbols of massive urbanization.

Jicé captures in this work the “wisdom” of industrial aesthetics, as a sort of homage to the workers and workers who build and shape these urban landscapes. The traces of wear and deterioration remind us that everything built by man is subject to time, but that this process has an intrinsic beauty.

The plunging perspectives and cinematic atmosphere add an additional dimension to the work, giving the viewer a feeling of immersion in this city that is both familiar and alienating. There is a feeling of distance, but also of proximity, because these industrial spaces are imbued with the collective memory of workers. In this, “Urban Lights” echoes the complex relationship between man and his built environment, evoking both the power and fragility of this world.