Black Magic 

Curator: Looking at this artwork, the name "Black Magic" really does resonate. There's something incredibly evocative about it. Editor: You know, initially I thought it was just another dark, brooding abstract piece, perhaps a failed minimalist canvas? But there’s an undercurrent—almost menacing, which I find intriguing. Like peering into an abyss. Curator: This oil painting, a work by Peter Busa, employs impasto to really build the texture. Busa, influenced by Abstract Expressionism, pushes the boundaries of geometric abstraction here. What's fascinating is how the black interacts with the monochrome color scheme, almost creating a void. Editor: I see that. There’s something primordial about it too. The heavy impasto almost fossilizes the moment of its creation. It is like digging up a dark secret, really. I keep wondering if Busa had something particular in mind, something…darker perhaps? Curator: The title absolutely invites that interpretation. During the rise of Abstract Expressionism, many artists were delving into subconscious expression and existential themes influenced by global tensions. This "Black Magic" can be seen as an exploration of the hidden forces—whether psychological, social, or spiritual. Editor: I would love to have known what occupied Busa's mind while painting this, don't you think? What did magic represent for him, or perhaps what shadow did he wish to confront through paint and texture? The lack of detail kind of liberates the feeling for the observer. It might represent grief. A nightmare? Who knows? Curator: Exactly. It’s this ambiguity combined with raw expression that defines much of abstract art from this period. It refuses to give easy answers. It provokes feeling and thought, rather than dictating narrative. The tension in this painting, I find very palpable and incredibly revealing for its context. Editor: Right. "Black Magic" remains a powerful statement. Something both beautiful and unsettling at once. A true testament of Abstract Expressionism at its most potent. Curator: Indeed. Busa gives us more than just a painting. He provides a lens through which we can reflect on history, society, and human inner depths.