Art Theory Text with Scribble 1939

Curator: This work, "Art Theory Text with Scribble" by Stuart Davis, appears to be a page of handwritten notes. The date at the top reads June 20, 1939. Editor: It feels like a glimpse into the artist's mind, a raw and unfiltered stream of consciousness. The contrast between the structured sentences and the chaotic scribble is striking. Curator: Davis was deeply engaged with theorizing about abstraction and its relationship to American culture. His materials here—paper, pen, ink—become a direct conduit for his artistic thought process. Editor: He's grappling with concepts like "psycho-objective content" and "T-D-S triads," trying to articulate the underlying principles of his work. Curator: The repeated references to "mesh form" and color suggest his interest in layering and spatial relationships within the picture plane. Davis challenged the traditional hierarchy that valued finished paintings over preparatory sketches. Editor: Seeing the artist’s hand so directly gives it a realness that complicates the usual narrative of the artist. Curator: Indeed, it brings the labor and intellectual effort involved in creating art to the forefront. Editor: A tangible reminder of the artist at work. Curator: Absolutely. It prompts reflection on the artist as a worker.