Untitled (Yellow) 1990

Curator: Peter Soriano’s “Untitled (Yellow),” housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a compelling study in form and color. Editor: My first impression is that the composition has a certain softness, a quiet optimism radiating from the subtle layering of yellows. Curator: Indeed, the layering speaks to process. Considering material, the translucent yellows likely stem from layered inks, a nod to printmaking and its democratizing effects. What do you think? Editor: The duplication feels significant. Are we meant to consider the mirroring effect as a commentary on the self and other, perhaps even a reflection on queer identity? Curator: It invites multiple interpretations, doesn't it? Investigating the artistic labor and printing process provides one framework to view this work. Editor: True. But it’s also vital to examine how these abstract shapes might resonate with individual and collective experiences, adding layers of meaning beyond mere materiality. Curator: Ultimately, this print urges us to question the interplay between intention, execution, and interpretation. Editor: Yes, seeing it is like observing the dance of abstraction and lived experience.