The Kiss 1965

Curator: Rodolfo Paras-Perez's "The Kiss" presents a striking image, emphasizing stark contrasts. Its dimensions are roughly 63 by 89 centimeters. Editor: Visually, it's a powerful collision of shapes. The blue foliage seems to claw at the stark white figure—almost violently. Curator: The piece invites us to consider the woodblock printing process, highlighting the labor involved in carving and the physicality of the printing itself. It's a limited edition. Editor: And the symbolic weight of that embrace! The dark mass looming over the lovers, the almost aggressive blue—it feels like a kiss under immense pressure. Curator: Yes, that looming form could represent societal constraints, or the oppressive atmosphere of the time it was made. It suggests an exploration of societal expectations around love. Editor: Exactly! The stark colour palette reinforces the idea. It's not soft or romantic; it's a statement. Curator: Considering its limited edition, the work's value lies also in its distribution, who had access to the work and why? Editor: I think we've only scratched the surface of its depths here. Curator: Indeed, there is always more to explore, isn't there?