Mars Orange (artificial ochre) 1921

Editor: This is Mars Orange, artificial ochre, made by C. Roberson & Co. in London, 1921. It's simply a jar of pigment and a painted swatch. What kind of cultural memory do you think is embedded in this seemingly simple object? Curator: The color itself evokes a powerful history. Orange has long been associated with energy, harvest, and warmth. But “Mars” adds another layer, linking it to the god of war, and by extension, iron and alchemy. How might that connection influence an artist's choice of this particular pigment? Editor: So, the name itself carries symbolic weight, influencing its use and perception. I never would have considered that. Curator: Exactly. The history of color production itself is laden with cultural significance. Thinking about this in terms of embodied knowledge makes me consider the unseen labor in this jar. Editor: That’s a new perspective for me; I appreciate it.