Arabesque 1978

Editor: This is Joyce Kozloff’s "Arabesque" from 1978. It's a mixed-media mural, primarily acrylic, and the first thing that strikes me is how playful the geometric pattern is. It's like a vibrant, almost overwhelming, field of stars. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The star, isn't it fascinating? Embedded deeply within collective cultural memory across numerous civilizations. For example, its potent symbolism stretches from ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, celestial guidance in Islamic art, and its modern, secular adoption. Notice the way Kozloff layers and repeats these star motifs. Does it evoke for you any particular traditions or meanings beyond the strictly decorative? Editor: I didn't immediately connect it, but now that you mention Islamic art, I see how the geometric abstraction feels similar to mosaic patterns in mosques. It feels connected to something bigger. Curator: Precisely. It is reminiscent of "zellige" tilework. What does that imply, do you think, when a work embraces these references and symbols? The piece also dates from 1978... any thoughts? Editor: I imagine that in 1978 it could also represent an important departure from the artistic focus on individual expression. It uses pattern to make an argument for embracing something older, something that connects across cultures. So, maybe this artwork argues against the cult of originality by embracing art traditions and a more universal visual language? Curator: A brilliant insight. This echoes a key element of postmodernism - appropriating and recontextualizing existing forms. We're left pondering: can an artist truly create something wholly new, or is art always in conversation with its predecessors? The symbolic power embedded within an image is very fascinating. Editor: This was eye-opening. It makes me see geometric patterns as carrying a rich history, rather than being just decorative.