Lamp Black 

Curator: Here we have "Lamp Black," produced by Cabot. It appears to be pigment in a glass jar. Editor: It's so elemental, a building block. The jar of pure black pigment evokes a sense of infinite potential and darkness, like a captured shadow. Curator: Lamp black pigment historically derives from soot collected from oil lamps and was used as a black pigment in paints, inks, and coatings. Cabot, a large chemical company, mass produces it. Editor: So, it's both ancient and modern, handmade and manufactured. It makes me think about how technology and industry have shaped our relationship to art materials. Curator: Precisely. This seemingly simple object reveals a complex intersection of art, industry, and history, raising questions about authorship and value. Editor: It is odd to see raw materials displayed as an artwork, yet in its own way, it represents the genesis of visual expression. I'm captivated by how ordinary materials are elevated. Curator: Indeed, the essence of artistic creation often begins with these unassuming components. Editor: Gives you a new perspective, doesn't it?