January 01, 1972 1972

Curator: Looking at this piece by Marcia Hafif, entitled "January 01, 1972," painted using acrylic, it's easy to see the influence of Minimalism. It encourages viewers to engage with materiality, the essence of "matter painting," if you will, beyond just representation. Editor: First glance? Feels like staring at fresh snowfall on canvas, a quiet sort of intensity, like holding your breath without realizing it. Curator: Right, Hafif, situated within movements like Minimalism, was concerned with dismantling conventional painting expectations and decentering subjectivity. It speaks to post-structuralist notions of the 'death of the author', shifting the focus to the act of creation and the viewer's experience. Editor: It's wild to think that something this seemingly simple can hold so much intellectual weight. I keep expecting some form to pop out, maybe I'm betraying the whole point? Curator: Not at all, the monochrome approach forces you to look more intently at subtle differences. It also provokes a re-evaluation of Western aesthetics which traditionally emphasize a colorful aesthetic. It asks the viewer to actively participate, to engage critically with how value is constructed within art history and beyond, as pertains to issues of gender and race, which historically privilege certain narratives above others. Editor: Well, now I am wondering about all of the January 1sts in history; what exactly did the new year feel like in '72? Curator: And it is important to consider 1972 politically; in the context of countercultural movements, second-wave feminism, and civil rights, pieces like this prompt us to investigate structures of power and visibility. Editor: Art that encourages reflection, isn’t that really the dream? Makes you pause, makes you question your own perception of the world around you, and on top of everything, the fact that it resembles untouched snowfall… that is wonderful! Curator: It’s truly powerful to recognize the painting not only as an aesthetic experience, but also a historical one. It really resonates with those broader social discourses relevant today. Editor: I'll walk away pondering what a fresh start really entails now… thanks for making me think, Hafif.