The Turtle Dance (Taos) 1945

Ira Moskowitz made "The Turtle Dance (Taos)" using pencil, crayon, and lithographic crayon on paper. Look at the rhythm of the marks, the way they build up to create textures that are so different: soft clouds, solid adobe bricks, feathery head-dresses, and bushy skirts. I wonder if he was thinking about different ways of mark-making and the different sensations they create. It seems like the whole scene is vibrating with the sound of the drums and the energy of the dancers. I love how the dark, soft strokes create a sense of depth and mystery. You can almost feel the cool air and smell the dust of the earth. Moskowitz gives so much reverence to the dancers in his composition, as well as the village they inhabit. This piece reminds me that art is a conversation between artists across time and space. We build on each other's ideas, inspiring each other to see the world in new ways.