Black Blot 1991

Editor: Alexander Bogen’s “Black Blot,” painted in 1991 with acrylic on canvas. It feels…ominous, a bit chaotic even, with that heavy black form dominating the composition. I wonder what it means? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Ominous is a good word for it! I find myself drawn to the tension between that dense black and the almost vibrant blue surrounding it. Think of it as a kind of psychic landscape – a visual poem, perhaps about confronting the unknown. Look at the way the blue seems to almost push back against the black. Do you see that? Editor: I do! It’s like the blue is trying to contain the black, but it can't quite... Curator: Exactly! Maybe Bogen is exploring internal conflicts? Or even a wider historical struggle to control chaotic forces, painting this in 1991 so close to the collapse of the Soviet Union, is interesting don't you think? The bold color creates some energy within what might have just been depressive dark painting. Editor: So, the "blot" could symbolize turmoil, while the blue represents the struggle to maintain order? Curator: That’s a way to think about it. Or perhaps a memory from his childhood? Editor: Hmm…I was so focused on the blot itself. Considering Bogen's personal experiences adds another layer. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. These paintings, though dark at times, offer little moments of freedom that keep my curious mind thinking. It makes you think how the smallest of actions can impact the deepest moments of contemplation.