Red Passage 1966

Curator: "Red Passage" by Alice Baber, painted in 1966. It's watercolor and acrylic on canvas. Editor: It has this wonderful, ethereal quality...almost like looking at light refracting through water. The blending of blues and yellows creates such a sense of depth. Curator: Baber was quite involved with the development of Color Field Painting and abstract expressionism in the mid-20th century, deeply invested in exploring how color affects the viewer's perception and emotions. You really feel that here, don't you? The way these amorphous shapes interact... Editor: Absolutely. It is like the pigments have lives of their own, swirling and merging to create those compelling compositions. Look at how some forms are clearly delineated while others bleed into each other... Curator: It’s also interesting to consider the historical context. Abstract Expressionism emerged in post-war America, reflecting both the anxieties and the liberation of the era. There was this sense of breaking free from traditional artistic conventions… Editor: Free indeed. One can see how Baber employs these washes to evoke a dreamlike space. She clearly emphasizes the optical effect of colors; I find how the translucence creates an effect of suspended motion quite engaging. Curator: She also pushes the boundaries. It's striking how a female artist carved such a prominent space for herself within a male-dominated art world at the time. It certainly resonates to see this visual boldness against the backdrop of second-wave feminism… Editor: Well, "Red Passage," despite the title, leans toward tranquility more than fiery intensity in my reading. Curator: Interesting how an artwork from a time of socio-political upheaval can create this experience... perhaps an escape through colors? Editor: Perhaps it shows us something new about our assumptions about what art is “supposed” to do or show. Curator: That’s a powerful observation, reminding us that art always reflects not only the moment it was created in, but also those who keep engaging with it. Editor: Indeed. "Red Passage" provides a refreshing visual experience, if nothing else.