Farblitho 1968 - 2 (NOR) 1968

Editor: We are looking at “Farblitho 1968-2” by Ernst Wilhelm Nay, created in 1968. It's a vibrant lithograph. The sharp lines and bold colours give me a real sense of movement, almost like petals falling or maybe some sort of bizarre abstract bouquet. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, "bizarre abstract bouquet," I love that! It’s a perfect jumping-off point. For me, Nay is conjuring pure energy, that kind of vibrant, pulsing feeling you get staring into the summer sun. The floating forms and intense colours are key here; he’s really pushing colour field painting to its expressive limits. Think about it: no objects, just colour and shape singing together. It's less about what they *represent*, and more about what they *evoke*. What do the colours themselves whisper to you? Editor: Well, the blues feel calmer, cooler…almost like a counterpoint to the reds and yellows that seem so much more intense. Curator: Exactly! He's not just throwing colours together willy-nilly. Nay is setting up a real push and pull. This work pulses. You almost feel a vibration just looking at it, right? Does it take you anywhere specific? Editor: It actually reminds me of stained glass, filtered sunlight. But instead of a cathedral, it’s illuminating something entirely new, something from the future, almost. Curator: Wonderful. It seems Nay would have loved that association. His art embodies light, colour, and ultimately… pure optimistic freedom. A feeling, I'd hazard, the late sixties desperately needed. Editor: It’s incredible how much is communicated with just shapes and colour. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way before. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely, a great reminder to us both. These works often whisper their secrets; all you have to do is listen!