Bright Color Variables 1978

Curator: Here we have Robert Goodnough’s 1978 piece, "Bright Color Variables," crafted with acrylic paint. It’s a wonderful example of his abstract expressionist style. What strikes you initially about it? Editor: It feels buoyant, almost whimsical. These shapes, like stylized birds perhaps, seem caught in a moment of chaotic, yet strangely harmonious, flight. The bright colors pop against the subdued background, creating a sense of joyful energy. Curator: The 'variables' in the title is significant. Goodnough was deeply invested in the improvisational aspects of Abstract Expressionism, inviting chance and intuitive decision-making into his compositions. Consider this in relation to the era: The 70s, where artists explored decentralized control to express the instabilities within socio-political climates. Editor: Right, and birds, across cultures, often signify freedom, transformation, even the soul's journey. Do you think that symbolic resonance, even if unintentional, plays a role here? Their abstract representation hints towards this greater unknown beyond their geometric representation, and connects us to primordial concepts and narratives. Curator: It's an interesting question, considering how the movement pushed against representational forms, choosing instead to tap into what Jung called "universal archetypes" -- and maybe, this painting is connected to universal themes. Though, with Pop Art influence in his later style, these shapes might speak to more contemporary, urban identities. Editor: Precisely! Their non-figurative qualities actually broaden their scope of symbolism. And yet, there’s that shared understanding – birds as a visual shorthand for movement, change. Perhaps these simple avian suggestions allude to environmentalism or a political desire for social evolution? Curator: That makes a strong case for these variables as being both fluid and meaningful, echoing personal freedoms while subtly gesturing to societal transformations. It truly embodies Goodnough's capacity to speak volumes, through shapes and shades. Editor: Ultimately, it's an image that lingers – simple forms sparking a wealth of associations. I find myself circling back to this feeling of unbound flight!