Relief, Series B 1967

Charlotte Posenenske created these two red reliefs which stand out from the wall, catching the light and casting a shadow. I think she would be happy for people to think of them as paintings, even though they are dimensional. These forms remind me a little of Donald Judd, but they are not as pristine. They have a more organic, less finished vibe. They feel a bit more tentative, like a sketch that never quite gets resolved. I can imagine Posenenske working on these reliefs, maybe in a factory or a workshop somewhere, experimenting with different materials and shapes. There's a sense of playfulness in the way she combines simple geometric forms with that earthy red color. It's like she's inviting us to see the world in a new way, to find beauty and meaning in the everyday. I feel she has a kinship with Blinky Palermo, in the sense that she uses very little to great effect. That color, somewhere between clay and blood, gives them an unexpected warmth.