Mirage Construction #17 1988

Curator: Here we have Larry Bell's "Mirage Construction #17" from 1988, a mixed-media piece primarily using acrylic paint. Editor: Woah, it’s like peering through frosted glass at a dream. The light, the crinkled paper, the blurry colours. Is that blue and yellow, maybe orange too? Curator: Bell was deeply involved in the Light and Space movement, focusing on how light interacts with surfaces and shapes. His works often explore the themes of abstraction and perception. The slightly crumpled background is really crucial here as that affects the reflections and perceived depth, challenging the viewer’s expectations of space on a 2-D plane. Editor: It makes me think of how memory works—fragments pieced together, some bits sharp, others faded. The acrylic must give a smooth, almost otherworldly sheen that enhances that effect? You expect this to feel crisp, yet it gives off a fuzzy, otherworldly feeling. Curator: Yes, the acrylic's reflective property definitely emphasizes the manipulation of light which Bell saw as material for constructing visual experiences, which is a point of intersection between Abstract Expressionism and newer types of abstraction. I think what really captures that here is how Bell transforms mundane materials into a landscape of pure sensation. Editor: Absolutely! I love the playful quality to it; this art-making is like childlike wondering if one day your artwork becomes the source of others’ inspiration too. It's as if Bell dared the world to catch up to his singular and idiosyncratic visions! Curator: That’s such a nice perspective. What I appreciate most about examining Bell’s "Mirage Construction #17," and his artistic contributions in general, is thinking about how the viewer becomes a part of the equation. Art is often considered only the artifact produced, but Bell saw art as a lived relationship between the object and observer. Editor: And, what’s art without an observer. Art for art’s sake? Okay, but isn't there just something thrilling when it lands perfectly with another? Like fireworks in your mind! Thanks for making the case.