Constellation 1971

Allan D'Arcangelo made 'Constellation' using serigraphy to create an image that speaks to the cultural landscape of its time. D'Arcangelo came of age as an artist in the 1960s. We can see a clear interest in the visual codes of modern life, especially those related to the automobile and the highway. This aesthetic chimes with the way American culture was being reshaped by mass transit and new technologies. In this period, the art world was increasingly interested in breaking down the barriers between 'high' and 'low' culture, mirroring the way those barriers were also being eroded by these new social phenomena. Look at the flat planes of color and hard edges. In its simplicity, this recalls advertising or traffic signs. It’s a far cry from the art establishment of previous generations. To understand this work fully, one could research the artistic manifestos of the 1960s, along with economic data about the growth of the American highway system. By examining how the artwork reflects its social and institutional context, we can understand the cultural moment it encapsulates.