2 1973

Curator: This vibrant piece is titled "2" by Richard Smith. Smith was part of a generation questioning traditional painting, and you see that in his playful approach to form and material. Editor: It looks like a deconstructed kite, almost child-like with its bold colors and that dangling string. There's something very immediate about it. Curator: Smith often incorporated kite-like forms, riffing on commercial imagery and the post-war consumer boom. The materials, the scale...it challenges the boundaries of "high" art. Editor: Yes, it's the process that fascinates me. The layering of paint, the visible string...it all points to the labor and the making. Curator: It’s interesting to consider this piece within the context of the Pop Art movement and its engagement with popular culture. Smith took these everyday objects and elevated them into a statement about art’s place in society. Editor: Absolutely, it asks us to reconsider not just what art is, but also how it's made and what materials we value. Curator: I think it demonstrates Smith's critical eye. Editor: It gives us a glimpse into his methods.