Holding It Together 2012

Curator: Immediately, there’s an intense feeling of precarious balance looking at this; like everything is on the verge of collapse, yet somehow held together by a barely visible force. Editor: Well, let's delve deeper. We are looking at "Holding It Together," an acrylic on canvas completed in 2012 by Rochelle Blumenfeld. It's an intriguing piece, falling squarely into the realm of abstract expressionism with notable geometric undercurrents. How does the title speak to our current moment? Curator: I see the geometric forms, yes, but they are skewed, dynamic rather than stable. The way these planes intersect speaks volumes about precarity within established systems. What I immediately think about, within a contemporary social justice frame, are intersectional oppressions. Systems pressing down on certain bodies with unrelenting force, barely supported within patriarchal and capitalist structures, barely, holding, it, together. Editor: And the painting's reception? Abstract art has a long and contested history in the public sphere, often caught between accusations of elitism and claims of profound emotional resonance. Do you think that institutional frameworks, the art market perhaps, influence our interpretation? Curator: Undeniably! The "genius" of abstract expressionism was manufactured and heavily reliant on Cold War rhetoric championing individuality. What seems innovative can simply be a repetition of power dynamics and an obscuring of the artists it deemed unessential. It demands we continuously interrogate the cultural values being promoted, or repressed, by abstract expressionism as a whole. However, that being said, I feel as though the color choices employed in "Holding It Together" can stand as a beacon to what can emerge during those interrogations and resistances. Editor: You are right, these tones, graying blues mixing with warm browns, create a subdued but resolute palette. As a final thought, do you feel that the visual instability that we spoke of earlier translates to a specific feeling towards modernity itself? Curator: Absolutely, I would suggest Blumenfeld’s approach isn't just aesthetic, it acts as a commentary on the unsustainable foundations of societal structures, yet perhaps signals a quiet, almost resilient hope of emerging beyond such constricting boundaries. Editor: An insightful analysis. Thank you.