Line Series 1974

Curator: Ree Morton's "Line Series," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, offers a fascinating study in pastel and graphite. The dimensions measure approximately 55.7 by 76.3 centimeters. Editor: It feels rather provisional, this work. The pastel is soft, chalky—vulnerable almost. I wonder how it's been preserved. Curator: Indeed, the delicate materiality is crucial to understanding the work. Observe the interplay of structured graphite lines against the diffused pastel. Morton orchestrates a dialogue between precision and chance. Editor: But what's the labor here? Is it in the methodical application of the pastel, or perhaps the repetitive act of drawing these lines? It makes me consider what part of the process she found meaning in. Curator: Semiotically, those lines are fascinating. Are they connections, barriers? The use of color—pale yellows and pinks—softens the supposed rigidity. Editor: Softening what? The very rigid systems upon which our society is built? I wonder, was this artist concerned about the commodification of her art during her career? Curator: Regardless, considering the formal elements as a whole, one can see how Morton uses them to create a feeling of ephemeral connection. Editor: And that reminds me that artworks are never seen in a vacuum. Considering how this piece might circulate speaks volumes.