CaixaForum Madrid is currently presenting 'Desenfocado. Otra visión del arte' (Unfocused. Another Vision of Art), an exhibition exploring the aesthetic of blurriness in art. The exhibition, which runs from September 16, 2025, to January 31, 2026, highlights how the deliberate lack of sharp definition has become a significant artistic tool.
This showcase delves into how artists utilize indistinctness to challenge visual understanding, capture the ephemeral nature of existence, and encourage new forms of viewer engagement. The exhibition traces the historical roots of this aesthetic, noting its presence in movements like Impressionism, exemplified by Claude Monet's water lilies, and its continuation in contemporary art practices. It features works by prominent artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, Thomas Ruff, and Alfredo Jaar.
Organized into five thematic sections, the exhibition examines blurriness as a method to question perception, convey instability, and embrace ambiguity. The use of blur in art is not new, with precedents found as far back as Leonardo da Vinci's sfumato technique during the Renaissance. Impressionists also employed this to capture light and atmosphere, moving away from strict realism.
Gerhard Richter, a key figure in contemporary art, has frequently used blur in his work, stating, "I blur things to make everything equally important and equally unimportant." This technique allows artists to evoke feelings of nostalgia, memory, or the passage of time, inviting viewers into a more emotional and interpretive experience with the artwork. The exhibition demonstrates how this softening of focus can foster a contemplative mood, encouraging a deeper connection with the underlying narrative or emotion.
Contemporary artists continue to explore the expressive potential of blur, with photographers using techniques like long exposures and intentional camera movement to create dreamlike compositions. This aesthetic particularly resonates with younger audiences as a counterpoint to the hyper-realism prevalent in digital media. The exhibition at CaixaForum Madrid offers a comprehensive look at how this artistic choice, from its historical origins to its modern applications, continues to shape our perception and interaction with art.