States of Mind I 1958

Editor: So, here we have Marvin Lowe's "States of Mind I," an etching from 1958. There's this almost unsettling landscape vibe, yet it feels so abstract and textural. What do you see in this piece, beyond just the literal image? Curator: Unsettling is a brilliant way to put it. It hits you right in the gut, doesn't it? For me, this isn't just a landscape; it’s an emotional terrain. The sharp contrasts, the jagged lines...they speak of internal turmoil. Almost like Lowe took a feeling and translated it into textures and forms. Do you get that sense of raw vulnerability too? Editor: Absolutely! It's not serene, that’s for sure. Like looking into a fractured mirror of someone's inner world. I am wondering what informs your thinking of 'emotional terrian'. Curator: Well, think about it. Look at the abstract-expressionist style – so popular then and meant to release, often in very personal ways. These artists wrestled with expressing the unspeakable. Also, an etching allows so much dark tonality to suggest anxiety! Also, I sense something profoundly human trying to break through the surface, yearning to be understood and felt by other viewers. Don’t you agree? Editor: I do! It's as if each line and shadow holds a secret, inviting us to piece it together. It makes you realize how limiting words can be sometimes, and I suppose art tries to go beyond words to explore other aspects of feeling. Curator: Exactly! This little print, small as it may be, has layers upon layers of feelings in it that demand exploration! So the state of mind we discover maybe actually shifts depending on the state of our own mind. Editor: Wow, I will certainly never look at abstract art in the same way again. I never thought of how the mood would even change with my own mindset when viewing art. Thank you for the lesson. Curator: Anytime, my friend, happy to talk.