ARG-VIT 1974

Editor: This is "ARG-VIT" by Victor Vasarely, made in 1974, using acrylic paint. It really plays tricks on my eyes – all those squares seem to be popping out! How do you read a piece like this? Curator: The impact of "ARG-VIT" stems from its reliance on readily available industrial materials. It's acrylic, a synthetic polymer, challenging the preciousness of traditional oil painting. Notice how Vasarely meticulously applies the paint, eliminating any trace of the artist’s hand, embracing a kind of mass production aesthetic. Think of the labour that goes into masking each square, applying layers for that solid color - it’s a real commitment of labour and time, isn’t it? Editor: So, it’s less about individual expression and more about...process and materials? Curator: Precisely! The geometric forms themselves are easily reproducible. In the context of 1974, reflect on how technological advances and material culture were rapidly changing society, leading to debates on high art versus design. The squares and color choices feel very standardized and planned to a manufactured effect, which links to the artistic debate about artistic value tied to industrial production. What do you make of the repetitive pattern? Editor: I guess it creates a sense of visual accessibility. It could be endlessly reproduced as textiles or prints, which connects with what you were saying. So it questions the uniqueness of a traditional painting? Curator: Exactly. And how does this relate to consumption, or the society around art? Is this "democratic art" for the masses, or just another commodity? It makes one think about where value lies. Editor: I hadn’t considered it in those terms before. Looking at the processes really does make you reconsider its artistic intention and social reflection! Curator: Agreed, analyzing the art in relation to production definitely enriches how we interpret Vasarely's goals here.