Art Theory Text with Sketch 1943

Editor: Here we have Stuart Davis' "Art Theory Text with Sketch," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a fascinating look into the artist's thought process, with handwritten notes and a small drawing. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: It's interesting to see Davis grapple with visualization versus ideological planning. His notes suggest a critique of rigid, pre-conceived artistic approaches, perhaps mirroring broader debates in American art during the mid-20th century concerning abstraction versus representation. The 'Serial C' reference is intriguing; how might that tie into his artistic practice and the art world's embrace of seriality and reproduction? Editor: So, this sketch and text is a criticism of the art world at the time? Curator: It's possibly a subtle commentary on the prevailing artistic trends and the role of theory. Davis was often engaging with the push and pull between spontaneous expression and intellectual frameworks. It makes you wonder about the relationship between what artists say they do, and what they actually do. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. I guess art isn't always just what you see!