Red/Blue (Untitled) 1964

Curator: Ellsworth Kelly's "Red/Blue (Untitled)" is striking. The way the red form pushes against the blue above feels… bold. Editor: Indeed. It's interesting to consider what industrial processes enabled Kelly to achieve such clean, unmodulated fields of color. Was this commercially produced paint, perhaps? Curator: The pureness of the colors is certainly captivating. Observe how the curve of the red shape interacts with the rigid square of the support. It creates a dynamic tension. Editor: And how does Kelly's choice of such simple forms speak to the post-war embrace of mass production and the democratizing potential of art? Did his contemporaries also explore these accessible, manufactured materials? Curator: I think you are right, and the unprimed surface and exposed edges of the support also challenge traditional notions of artistic labor. It’s fascinating to think about. Editor: Yes, it is interesting to see how a focused attention on simple materials can expand our awareness. Curator: This was a surprisingly fruitful dialogue! Editor: Agreed. I find myself seeing more in this deceptively simple composition than I initially expected.