Untitled (from Pasadena Box) 1963

This untitled print was created by Sam Francis as part of his Pasadena Box project. Francis was an American artist associated with abstract expressionism, a movement that flourished after World War II. This work exemplifies the movement's interest in spontaneous, gestural mark-making, seemingly liberated from the constraints of representation. Looking at the image, we see vibrant splashes of color – blues, reds, and yellows – scattered across the white surface. This was made in a time when American art institutions were trying to establish a unique cultural identity, distinct from European traditions. Abstract Expressionism became a symbol of American freedom and individualism during the Cold War, celebrated by institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and promoted as evidence of cultural vitality. The Pasadena Box project itself reflects a particular moment in the history of art institutions, when artists sought to create collaborative, experimental works that challenged traditional gallery settings. To truly understand works like these, we need to explore the social and political context in which they were made, delving into archives, artists' writings, and the records of the institutions that supported them. Only then can we begin to grasp the complex ways that art reflects, and shapes, the world around it.