Growing City 1988

Editor: Here we have Carlos Almaraz’s 1988 painting, “Growing City,” created with acrylics. The chaotic energy really jumps out at me. It's like the whole city is in motion, or maybe even on the verge of collapse. What's your interpretation? Curator: It's interesting that you mention a potential collapse. When looking at Almaraz’s work through a historical lens, one could argue it reflects the social anxieties prevalent in Los Angeles during the late 1980s. The vibrantly clashing colors and distorted perspectives might represent a city grappling with rapid growth, economic disparity, and even the looming specter of the AIDS crisis. How might his representation of the city’s growth also reflect growing social pressures? Editor: That's a really compelling perspective. I was just reacting to the visual chaos, but connecting it to the socio-political landscape gives it so much more depth. The buildings seem to lean in different directions, almost as if individual communities within the city are pulling apart from one another. Curator: Precisely. And the figures seemingly running across the canvas; are they escaping, or are they rushing toward something? The ambiguity invites us to consider the many narratives coexisting within the city. Almaraz paints a very visceral portrait of urban life, it doesn't offer a romanticized view, does it? Editor: No, not at all! It’s more like a raw, unfiltered snapshot. I really appreciate how you highlighted the link between the city’s physical growth and its societal tensions. Curator: It underscores the vital role art plays in reflecting and even shaping our understanding of the world around us. Hopefully you and others will seek more artwork from this period. It is quite revealing of what was truly on the hearts and minds of our artists!