Golden Cadmolith #768 1934

Curator: Here we have "Golden Cadmolith #768," a pigment manufactured by the Chemical and Pigment Company. Editor: It's striking. The saturated yellow pigment in that little jar just pops, especially contrasted with the color chart beside it. Curator: This pigment and the chart together really make us think about the systems of color and how they are managed and regulated. It’s a study in standardization, isn't it? Editor: Exactly! It's also about labor, how these materials are produced, and the artistry that goes into the creation of even the most basic of colors. Curator: Looking at this through a cultural lens, I wonder what the implications are of a single entity dictating color standards and what impact that has on artists and creativity. Editor: And for me, seeing the physical jar, I think about the entire social process that brings pigment into being from resource extraction to artistic consumption. It's a really fascinating piece!