Red Rain 1967

Editor: This is Forrest Bess's "Red Rain," created in 1967 with acrylic paint. There's such a strange juxtaposition of bright yellow and a more ominous, dripping red. What do you see in this piece, especially considering the historical context? Curator: Given Bess's own turbulent life and his outsider status, this painting strikes me as a potent visual metaphor. It's created at a time of intense social upheaval. The "red rain" could symbolize the spilling of blood, a response to war, violence, and societal anxieties percolating in the late 60s. Editor: So, you're saying it's more than just an abstract composition, that it really speaks to the politics of its time? Curator: Precisely. Abstraction doesn't exist in a vacuum. Bess, through his unique visual language, gives form to complex feelings. What do you make of the organic shapes and their placement within the frame? Editor: They seem to be almost floating, disconnected from the background. Is this a deliberate visual choice on Bess's part? Curator: It could represent a sense of alienation, of not quite belonging to the established order. This feeling may tie into the issues of identity, conformity and Bess's exploration of gender and sexuality in his art and life. Do you think understanding the artist’s struggles alters your perception of the piece? Editor: Absolutely, it makes the work much more compelling! The colours aren't just colours, but cries for attention, or even maybe coded signs. Curator: That's right. By considering the social context and Bess's personal experiences, we can unpack this seemingly simple abstraction. It becomes a testament to art's power to mirror and critique the world around us. Editor: Thank you. I’ll never see abstract expressionism the same way again!