Indian Red #85 

Curator: This intriguing pigment, "Indian Red #85," was manufactured by Zimmerman. Look closely at the chromatic scale next to it. Editor: The red is striking, earthy; it reminds me of rust. Curator: Its title hints at the complex colonial history embedded in pigment production. The term "Indian Red" often signified iron oxides sourced from India, revealing networks of resource extraction. Editor: The materiality is captivating; the powder, the glass bottle, the handwritten label. Curator: Exactly. This invites questions about authenticity, labor, and the ethics of naming. How do we reconcile the beauty of color with its historical baggage? Editor: It's a potent reminder that even the simplest materials carry complex stories of power and identity. Curator: Precisely. The historical depth of "Indian Red" invites us to look critically at color, commodity, and the legacies of empire.