Basketball Superstars c. 1976

Curator: LeRoy Neiman's "Basketball Superstars," dating circa 1976, presents a dynamic composition. What's your initial take on it? Editor: The colors jump right out—a vibrant, almost frenetic energy. You can almost feel the sweat and hear the squeak of the sneakers on the court. But what about the application of the acrylic paint? I am looking to that bold impasto work! Curator: Neiman, famous for his vibrant depictions of sporting events, captures not just the athletes, but the very atmosphere of the game. Consider how abstract expressionism played in 1970s, a tension between spectacle and artistic legitimation, which also influenced many action paintings like this one! Editor: True. But even thinking about the raw materials of these acrylic paints – pigments, binders, perhaps cheaper ingredients to keep costs down in line with demand for more works… Does this painting carry more than just the event's image? The heavy brushstrokes and bright colors mask that for the casual observer. Curator: Absolutely, because we’re also observing a changing culture around sports celebrity. It shows us the intersection between professional sports, art marketing, and growing media coverage and fan engagement during the period! Editor: How the means of its making connects to these greater contexts of society, labor, and materiality that transcend individual artistry and affect perception. This piece reminds me, finally, to look deeply into the work for details we overlook and under value to learn much more. Curator: A potent perspective! It is nice to examine that these action paintings do indeed require physical material application alongside its aesthetic ambition for mass consumption. It's a snapshot of cultural energies and the socio-economic conditions around image production in sport. Editor: I agree. An excellent point for reflection on the materiality and impact.