Hitting the Big Time 

Curator: Gosh, that hits you right in the solar plexus, doesn’t it? Such high-contrast emotion! Editor: Indeed. The piece we’re observing is titled "Hitting the Big Time," attributed to Mark Kostabi, and while its date is unconfirmed, the imagery feels strikingly contemporary. Curator: Right? They’re balanced precariously on a ledge, almost falling, caught in a kiss, but one figure is, without skipping a beat, taking a selfie. Classic Kostabi commentary on modern spectacle. The sharp shadows—almost comic-book like, you know?—makes you feel like you are eavesdropping. Editor: Precisely. Notice the stylized figures set against the backdrop of what appears to be a cityscape, reminiscent of New York, with what might be the Empire State Building subtly placed. It creates a powerful statement about ambition, vulnerability, and… digital narcissism? Curator: That yellow figure just radiates longing, it’s reaching towards some idea of a cinematic ideal—even a bit corny. The stark palette… yellow, red, white. Are they androids? This painting really vibrates, and then contrasts with a slightly satirical vibe with the other figure. It feels so exposed. Does he have regrets? Editor: Kostabi often explored these themes of alienation and media saturation within the neo-expressionist movement. It’s tempting to see the figures’ actions, that kiss mixed with the phone obsession, as a metaphor for the commodification of affection, the blurring of intimacy and performance in our celebrity obsessed culture. Curator: True, that commodification… like a photograph itself can be traded and collected! It is such a paradox. This is why the city’s backdrop—skyscrapers rising above the pair as their audience—really lands, hard. Is their achievement a dream… or just another moment of performance, captured? Editor: Well, what a whirlwind. It presents a fitting image to chew on, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely, like an amuse-bouche with a slightly bitter aftertaste, doesn’t it?