Red Mercedes c. 20th century

Curator: Here we have Don Eddy's "Red Mercedes," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it's a visual jolt! The colors are so vibrant, almost hyperreal. It feels like a memory, slightly distorted but overwhelmingly bright. Curator: Eddy's work often explores themes of consumerism and American culture through photorealistic techniques. The Mercedes, in this context, becomes a symbol laden with cultural meaning. Editor: I see the cultural baggage, but there's also a strange disconnect. The casual figure with a burger offsets the car's aspirational vibe. It's humorous, a bit ironic, wouldn't you say? Curator: Yes, and it challenges us to consider our own relationship with status symbols and everyday life. The painting blurs the lines between reality and representation. Editor: It's thought-provoking. The clashing tones and the mundane subject matter make it strangely attractive. I can’t turn away!