SJLD Jan 8, 2011:

I don't think you can use "traces" on its own. Has to be traces of something IMO. But that takes us back to the "memories" or "souvenirs" idea, and I don't think she means that. Could ask the artist of course. I think "traces" are simply the graffiti-like lines, the scratchings, scribblings, doodlings etc. Anyway, I'm off to the art supply supermarket to spend heaps of money :-) Have fun weekends everyone.

claude-andrew Jan 8, 2011:

Notwithstanding my suggestion of "inscriptions", I feel that "traces" is a suitable word, but perhaps expanded to "traces of line, fissures"

janisct (asker) Jan 8, 2011:

The name of the artist is Marianne Requena

claude-andrew Jan 8, 2011:

Who? If we knew who the artist was and could see some of his/her work, we'd be better able to suggest a term.

SJLD Jan 7, 2011:

Ah, that's interesting, because I was thinking in terms of "souvenirs" before I saw her work. And then I was convinced she was referring to her "scribbles" - which I would describe as linear elements (something I can't resist putting in my own paintings when there is "substance".) The petit beurre would surely qualify as "icône populaire".

Richardson Lisa Jan 7, 2011:

Yes I just had a look and I find it stunning! I studied the work of the artist Eva Mendieta a few yaer ago and the idea of memory or 'traces' in her work is very similar. With Mendieta, she left physical traces of her own body in the ground, snow etc, and photographed them to keep the memory of the trace. i'm almost tempted to go with 'imprint' here as the elemnets are clearly so personal. I love the 'petit beurre' cast in terracotta.

SJLD Jan 7, 2011:

@janisct Have you looked at her work (it's marvellous)? There is little doubt about what "traces" is referring to.

philgoddard Jan 7, 2011:

Symbols, maybe? It looks like one of those words that could be made to mean almost anything.