The Summer 1992

Jim Dine made this artwork, "The Summer", using lithography. The energy of the marks suggests a process of artmaking as an event. Looking closely, the surface reveals a tapestry of textures. Color seems to be the main focus, the piece vibrates between hot oranges and yellows and cooler blues and blacks. The inks are layered, allowing areas of visual mixing. See how each printed stroke is visible, there is a lack of blending. The whole surface is alive, restless, not giving you a single point of focus. Dine’s choice of subject matter and bold use of color reminds me of early works by the German Expressionist Emil Nolde. Yet, Dine's mark-making feels more raw and less refined. "The Summer" embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations, allowing each viewer to find their own meaning within its vibrant layers.