900-x-87 1970

Curator: Here we have "900-x-87," a canvas conjured by Olga Albizu in 1970 using acrylic paint. Editor: It strikes me immediately as joyous, almost exuberantly so. Like a burst of confetti caught mid-air, or maybe the dizzying view through a kaleidoscope. Curator: That's a lovely way to put it. Albizu's works often dance between pure abstraction and echoes of nature, and this is a powerful example of that ambiguity. Her practice aligns strongly with Abstract Expressionism, yet exhibits distinctive Color Field Painting attributes. The geometric interplay of various chromatic values truly guides our perceptions. Editor: I'm curious about that title, "900-x-87." Is that a literal reference, some internal system the artist employed, or simply a withholding, a playful obfuscation? Knowing Albizu was celebrated for improvisational pieces...it could be that, too, don't you think? Curator: Precisely. The numerical designation perhaps emphasizes the painting's inherent objectivity as pure form and color, contrasting with subjective emotional interpretations. It also reflects the formalist tendencies prevalent during that era, especially within the hard-edge painting circles. Editor: The warmth of the yellow field against the boldness of the blues and reds gives it such palpable dynamism. Does that luminosity stem primarily from the choice of medium? Curator: The acrylic paint contributes to that radiant quality, indeed. Albizu exploits acrylic's capacity for vibrant hues to create this engaging experience, deftly marrying chaos and order. Its color palette certainly resonates with that "pop art" vibrancy of its day. Editor: It's interesting to consider that while abstract, there is still structure...almost like underlying architecture. Perhaps, despite its vibrant playfulness, something quite methodical dwells beneath the surface? Curator: That's perceptive. And maybe that's the trick to all good abstraction: grounding in something even if it isn't always apparent. It leaves us, regardless, with something genuinely radiant. Editor: Exactly! Here's hoping it leaves our listeners today a little brighter as well!