Marta Ibarrondo

L’écume des jours 

I learned French to experience L’écume des Jours in its purest form, believing that the most romantic book in the world deserves the most romantic language. Every time I return to its pages, I feel as if I am floating on a cloud, immersing myself in the deep emotions of love: kindness, beauty, and warmth. On handmade Japanese Koso paper, dyed to evoke a blue sky, I used matte white acrylic paint to inscribe phrases from the book. Smudges of white paint merge with the text, creating a floating effect reminiscent of clouds. The phrases appear in diptychs, symbolizing a dialogue between a couple in love.

On the Road
On the Road by Jack Kerouac ignited my desire to study in the United States, inspiring me to experience firsthand its freedom, its opportunities, and its jazz culture. Re-reading the book now, after having called this country home for 30 years, I feel a deep nostalgia. The country that once felt boundless and full of hope now seems increasingly restricted, with its freedoms eroded by complexities and a growing sense of disenchantment. I used vintage road maps and jazz vinyl records from 1947 to 1957—the era of Kerouac’s travels and the release of his iconic book—to trace the states mentioned in On the Road, pairing each with quotes that distill its essence. To reflect the theme of freedom, I adopted a red, white, and blue color palette and a dynamic, chaotic painting style, evoking Kerouac’s stream-of-consciousness writing and the spontaneity of jazz. By applying six layers of paint, I sought to create a billboard-like effect, evoking the layered experiences, memories, and messages that shape the American landscape.