Aru with Yellow 1955

Curator: Willi Baumeister crafted "Aru with Yellow" back in 1955, using acrylic paint. At first glance, it looks like an explosion frozen in time, wouldn't you say? Editor: Yes! And an explosion of primary colors! The shapes feel both intentional and delightfully haphazard. There's something almost primal about the stark black against that cheerful yellow. Curator: He's definitely toying with the ideas of form and abstraction here. The black figure almost looks like a primitive hieroglyph, or maybe the silhouette of a ritual mask. What does it evoke for you? Editor: You know, it reminds me a bit of those early abstract paintings of Joan Miró, where symbols danced across the canvas. The symbols hint at deeper meanings, a kind of universal subconscious language, almost like cave paintings—telling a silent story about humanity's beginnings. Curator: Absolutely, and Baumeister was deeply interested in these ancient forms. He spent his life seeking out universal artistic principles. Despite the abstract nature, it holds such a grounding element. I think you have it on the head that Baumeister used archetypes to convey primal states. Editor: The title, "Aru with Yellow," almost sounds like a shamanic incantation. "Aru" is a bit of a mystery, isn't it? Curator: The title is definitely part of the puzzle, intentionally elusive. It invites us to imagine these are figures within a specific realm—be it the psyche or the landscape of memory. There's something beautifully unresolved about it. He offers no definitive answer, inviting interpretation. Editor: Well it really sparks my thoughts, so Baumeister did his job there. I walk away from this one with the impression of pure feeling. Curator: In a way, it's a glimpse into Baumeister's mind—his unique visual language. Editor: It’s like a visual poem isn't it? Bold, direct and unforgettable.