Lithopone 1942

Editor: So, this is “Lithopone,” artist unknown, but manufactured by New Jersey Zinc Co. It seems to be a pigment sample. I’m struck by the emphasis on the materials themselves, almost like a readymade. What do you see in this piece, considering its industrial origins? Curator: The lithopone pigment here isn't just about aesthetics; it embodies industrial processes and material composition. It’s a product of labor and resource extraction, questioning the role of the artist's hand versus industrial production. How does understanding its production context change your perception of its value? Editor: I guess I hadn’t thought about art in terms of mass production and labor before. It certainly adds a layer to its interpretation. Curator: Exactly! By considering its materiality, we move beyond traditional notions of artistic genius to consider the broader social and economic forces shaping art.