Unity (mylar/separation) 1995

Curator: This is Louis Delsarte's "Unity (mylar/separation)," a mixed media work at the Harvard Art Museums measuring about 23 by 31 inches. My first impression is that it feels like a study of contrasts. Editor: Yes, the interplay of abstract shapes and varied textures really captures the eye. It seems to be a meditation on balance and imbalance. The material process looks very intentional, too. Curator: Agreed. I see a visual exploration of how different graphic elements work together. The materials likely played a role, given the title referencing mylar. Editor: From a formal standpoint, I find the composition striking. The stark black marks against the white ground create an almost calligraphic energy. Curator: Perhaps even a commentary on the labor and materiality of artistic creation itself. It's interesting to think about what the artist was trying to convey through the use of these materials. Editor: Exactly. It really shows how an artwork can be simple yet so complex in its form and expression. Curator: Indeed. This piece invites us to consider the building blocks of visual language, and the social conditions needed to create art. Editor: I’ll remember this piece and its interesting play of shape and meaning.