Acicular Zinc Oxide 1942

Editor: This is Acicular Zinc Oxide, made by the New Jersey Zinc Company. It looks like a commercial sample, presented almost scientifically. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious? Curator: It reveals the intersection of art, industry, and materiality. The very label "New Jersey Zinc Co." points to labor, production, and even environmental impact. Consider the social context; this pigment, seemingly neutral, participated in cultural constructions of whiteness and purity, historically and even today. Editor: So, it's about more than just the color white? Curator: Exactly. How does the company’s presentation influence your perception of the pigment's artistic value and historical role? Editor: That's given me a lot to think about. Thanks!