Green Angel [trial proof] 1991

Editor: This is Jasper Johns’s "Green Angel," a 1991 print using watercolor, and it strikes me as a really curious mix of vibrant and subdued colors, almost map-like, yet so abstract. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What I find compelling about "Green Angel" is how it sits at the intersection of representation and abstraction, particularly when considering Johns' broader artistic trajectory. This was made during the culture wars. How can the identity of a symbol shift when removed from any sense of nationalism? Editor: That's interesting, especially the political climate idea. So you’re saying that this abstract representation prompts us to re-evaluate the narratives embedded within familiar forms? Curator: Precisely. It asks us to deconstruct the power structures inherent in symbols. Think about how often abstraction was seen as apolitical at that time - Johns does the opposite. The colors are a dance between what we know of modern art from Matisse to Braque, plus there is the underlying structure that brings an entire cultural landscape to our gaze. I'd say his combination brings a modern lens to a historical subject, making his "angel" into a historical commentator. Do you find any resonance in its composition? Editor: The colors really do feel intentional in creating a specific visual mood. It almost feels hopeful to me. Curator: That's a beautiful interpretation. Perhaps Johns is offering us not just a critique, but also a pathway towards reimagining our collective narratives. We must always keep asking what and who dictates these systems. Editor: I see. This piece feels so much richer now, knowing about the sociopolitical dialogue it engages in, and makes me see abstract work differently. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. And thank you, for that hopeful viewpoint; seeing its social implications has deepened my view as well.