Gesture of the Calla, 1 1985 - 1986

Editor: We’re looking at Michael Mazur’s “Gesture of the Calla, 1” at the Harvard Art Museums. The monochrome really emphasizes the form, it almost feels like a memory. What emotional weight do you think this flower holds? Curator: The Calla lily, historically, is a symbol of both purity and death, a duality that gives it a powerful presence. Notice how Mazur uses light and shadow? It evokes a sense of the ephemeral, the transient nature of beauty and life. Editor: So, the flower's dual symbolism reinforces that feeling of fleeting beauty you mentioned? Curator: Precisely. The contrasting elements within the single image tell a story, a cultural memory of life and loss intertwined. Editor: I see it now! It’s much deeper than just a pretty flower. Curator: Indeed, art often invites us to see beyond the surface and connect with deeper, universal themes.