Corner Mirror, green-red (737-2 A, 737-2 B) 1991

Curator: This is Gerhard Richter's "Corner Mirror, green-red," comprised of two large, colored glass panels. The scale is quite imposing, wouldn't you agree? Editor: It feels austere. The highly polished surfaces and simple forms suggest a critique of industrial production and standardized aesthetics, maybe even a reflection of consumer culture. Curator: Absolutely. Think of the socio-political context of post-war Germany. Richter's mirrors confront viewers with their own image, implicating them within larger narratives of identity and social structures. The glass, inherently fragile, also speaks to the fractured self. Editor: Yes, and consider the materiality—the smooth, reflective surfaces were clearly fabricated with precision, speaking to the labor and technical processes involved, which contrasts with painting. Curator: Precisely, and the color choices are crucial, too. The green and red evoke a sense of tension and perhaps even a subtle challenge to conventional notions of beauty and representation. Editor: Seeing this intersection of color and surface has been a reminder of the often overlooked labor embedded within minimalist forms. Curator: I agree. Considering the historical and social layers at play certainly enhances our understanding of this work.