Harold Ancart's "Pools" series, which began in the summer of 2017, marks a fascinating foray into the intersection of sculpture, painting, and architectural space, reflecting the artist's innovative exploration of form and color. This series, presented by David Zwirner, captures the essence and structure of swimming pools through a combination of three-dimensional relief forms and vibrant color, evoking both the physicality of these spaces and their abstract qualities.

Ancart's work in this series is notable for its use of oil stick on concrete, a medium that underscores the tactile and visual contrasts inherent in the subject matter. His pieces range in size, but all share a common focus on the interplay of color, form, and the sensory experience of the viewer. Ancart's pools are not just representations of water-filled basins but are imbued with a deeper contemplation of space, perception, and the act of seeing itself. The artist's statement highlights his fascination with how color and form create the visual environment, pointing to the idea that the sight of something, the very act of perceiving it, can bring it into being​ (David Zwirner)​.

The series draws from a wide array of architectural and art-historical references, demonstrating Ancart's democratic approach to visual influence. He cites inspirations ranging from the modernist lines of Adalberto Libera's Casa Malaparte and Tadao Ando's Casa Wabi to the vernacular of suburban swimming pools around the world. This nonhierarchical approach to sources reflects Ancart's interest in the universal and ubiquitous nature of pools as a locus for attention and a container for the eye to "swim" in. The work recalls the color experiments of Josef Albers, as well as the landscapes of Richard Diebenkorn and the iconic pool paintings of David Hockney, situating Ancart's pools within a rich dialogue with both abstract and representational art traditions​ (David Zwirner)​.

Ancart's "Pools" series is a testament to his ability to blend abstraction with environmental and architectural references, creating works that invite the viewer to engage in a multisensory experience. Through this series, Ancart continues to challenge the boundaries of contemporary painting and sculpture, offering new ways of understanding and interacting with space​ (David Zwirner)​.