Red Car 1994

Curator: John Berkey's "Red Car," created in 1994, presents us with an intriguing intersection of modernist aesthetics and figuration. Editor: Zoom! Immediately, I'm getting this intense feeling of velocity, almost like a futuristic postcard—but with a very retro soul. I mean, that sunset palette—delicious! Curator: Absolutely. Berkey, primarily recognized for his science fiction and space art, also engaged with themes of transportation and the evolving urban landscape. Here, his cityscape backdrop speaks to architectural utopianism and the possibilities of modernization. Editor: It feels both thrilling and, dare I say, slightly dystopian. That lone driver encased in what looks like a candy shell—totally isolated. What does that suggest about our relationship to technology, and even each other? Is he blissfully cruising, or hopelessly detached? Curator: I think that's key. We're seeing here the individual framed within systems of transit and control. The raised track further emphasizes this sense of prescribed movement, evoking Foucauldian notions of power and spatial organization. Editor: Okay, Foucault—but can we also appreciate the pure aesthetic pleasure? Look at how that oil paint just gleams, especially that crimson pod-mobile, so sleek. And the almost dreamlike quality of the clouds above? Curator: Right. The painting complicates ideas about progress and personal liberty within the context of urban design. The elevated structure introduces concepts related to social stratification. How does the infrastructure serve—or perhaps control—access and movement for diverse communities? Editor: It's funny, isn't it? Berkey's so-called 'future' feels incredibly rooted in a particular kind of late-20th century optimism and anxiety. It’s making me reflect about how past imaginings impact our current reality, too. Curator: Precisely. By examining pieces like “Red Car," we see a narrative woven between futurism, societal critique, and ultimately, questions of who benefits—or gets left behind—in this so-called pursuit of progress. Editor: Well, I know one thing – after looking at this piece, I'm desperate to cruise off into that sunset, even if it's just in my slightly less futuristic ride! It stirs up such a sense of possibility, mixed with a touch of wistful contemplation, for sure.