Cadmium-Barium Orange 1927

Curator: This is Cadmium-Barium Orange, a pigment sample manufactured by The Harshaw Chemical Company. Editor: Wow, that orange just vibrates! It's like bottled sunshine, so intense it almost feels edible. Curator: Indeed. We can see the Harshaw company produced a range of pigments, and this sample represents the industrialization of color. The label denotes its composition as cadmium sulfide and barium sulfate. Editor: It makes you think about the shift from natural dyes to these potent, lab-created hues. There's something unnerving and exciting in that leap. Curator: Precisely. The materiality is everything; consider its chemical components and Harshaw's crucial role in supplying artists with their materials. Editor: I keep returning to the sheer vibrancy. It's a color born not of nature but of pure, scientific intention. A little scary, but undeniably beautiful. Curator: A fitting sentiment, as we explore the evolving intersection of art, science, and industry. Editor: Yes, from earthy ochres to cadmium orange, a world of difference and a fascinating journey.