Untitled (May No. 2) 1979

Curator: Susan Rothenberg's "Untitled (May No. 2)" presents a compelling study in monochromatic abstraction. Note the interplay of stark contrasts and nuanced textures achieved through her distinctive mark-making. Editor: Initially, the work feels almost primal—a visceral response evoked by the organic, almost bodily forms emerging from the negative space. There's a palpable sense of vulnerability. Curator: Precisely! Rothenberg's focus on the formal elements, the interplay between line and void, invites us to decode the semiotic language of the composition itself. Editor: But isn't that reading ignoring the social and emotional contexts? The artwork's ambiguity can also be seen as a commentary on the fragmented nature of identity, a reflection of inner turmoil made visible. Curator: Perhaps, but consider how the absence of a concrete subject allows for an exploration of pure form. The gestural quality of the lines creates its own internal logic. Editor: I concede the power of its formal qualities, but I would add that its emotional impact stems from the artist's ability to externalize the often-unseen struggles within. Curator: A compelling intersection of artistic skill and emotional resonance. Editor: Indeed, a poignant exploration of the self.