Bodies of Water- Cities of China 1997

Editor: This is Joyce Kozloff's "Bodies of Water - Cities of China" from 1997. It's a mixed-media piece, with painting and watercolor. The work has a strange yet calming effect because of its blend of abstract and somewhat geometric pattern. It almost feels like looking at an unconventional map. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Primarily, I observe a compelling interplay of form and color. Note the artist's manipulation of line; how it segments the pictorial plane, generating tension between discrete zones. This strategy prompts an examination of spatial relationships and divisions within the work. Also, the application of color - subdued and muted, in contrast to the vibrancy typical of decorative art, complicating a simple reading. The patterns avoid clear representation, and do not commit to pure abstraction either. What effects do you think such resistance to clear categorization has? Editor: That makes a lot of sense, since I wondered whether it was representational or abstract. So it seems as though Kozloff does not take a side, and intentionally challenges easy labels through this piece. It seems I learn that close analysis will get you somewhere. I appreciate your input, especially your emphasizing attention to forms, colors and patterns as opposed to an art history class that would demand cultural background information. Curator: It's a fascinating piece because it highlights the critical role that pure observation plays in how one makes sense of and then experiences the work, by slowing down our rush to interpretation and engaging the work at a visual level.