Interdimensional Magic 2003

Editor: This is "Interdimensional Magic," an acrylic on canvas completed by Jack Armstrong in 2003. Looking at all the layers and colors, I find the composition to be energetic. What kind of narrative do you think the artist is trying to convey here? Curator: The layers themselves are the narrative, I think. Consider the period – early 2000s. There’s a globalized world emerging, digitally interconnected yet still grappling with deep-seated inequalities. The chaos of impasto, those drips and splatters, becomes a metaphor for this overwhelming intersectionality. Do you see how the blue, ostensibly a grounding color, is disrupted and almost violated by the yellows and reds? Editor: I see what you mean, like the blue, even if it's trying to take up space, can’t really contain everything. Curator: Exactly. Now, think about "magic" in the title. Who has access to this "magic," this power, this ability to transcend dimensions? Is it equally distributed, or is it a privilege, coded by, perhaps, the aggressive dominance of some colors over others? This invites us to question structures of power and access. Editor: So you're saying it's not just about pretty colors, but also a commentary on social and political issues? Curator: Precisely! Armstrong’s work encourages us to consider how even abstract expressionism can be read through a lens of social critique and resistance. We need to question who has a seat at the table. Who’s making the magic, and who’s left out? Editor: I never would have thought to look at abstract art that way! It’s cool to realize that it can also tackle broader societal issues. Curator: Indeed. Art provides a powerful language to explore these tensions, challenging us to see beyond the surface and engage with deeper meaning.