Stairways to the Stable Mind 2022

Curator: Looking at Mark Kostabi's acrylic on canvas piece from 2022, titled "Stairways to the Stable Mind", my first impression is how disorienting yet strangely calming the composition feels. Like a monochrome Escher drawing. Editor: It does evoke a kind of unsettling peace. I am struck by the efficient use of acrylic paint. Consider how the artist skillfully employed gradients to sculpt volume, almost mimicking the polished surfaces we find in mass-produced, plastic objects. Curator: Indeed, and how that slickness can lead us to think about its mass appeal, in terms of commodification and popular culture trends. Kostabi became known through media exposure, his art reflecting a cultural landscape dominated by those outlets. He made his name not just as a painter but as a brand. Editor: Precisely, and the figures inhabiting this monochrome world contribute to that. Their faceless anonymity makes them universally relatable. Think about it: these figures engage in activities we all recognize — reading, painting, climbing – all set within an impossible architectural space. Curator: Right. And that impossible space itself speaks volumes about societal structures. Are the stairways leading somewhere, or nowhere? The pole for climbing, the act of painting...what are the narratives being presented about social mobility and creative fulfillment, when rendered in such a detached, almost cynical manner? Editor: The interplay between figuration and this cityscape setting evokes questions about purpose and aspiration within the urban environment. How might contemporary audiences interpret this in light of the role of imagery in shaping social expectations, even our perceptions of sanity or stability. Curator: A powerful point. "Stairways to the Stable Mind"—an ironic title indeed when seen through that lens. The material slickness coupled with this unsettling setting is highly provocative, even though these are themes he has been developing throughout his career. Editor: Definitely something to consider when contemplating Kostabi’s position and artistic intentions. These faceless beings could just be navigating their way through constructed ideologies, not physical buildings. Curator: Absolutely, it leaves a lasting impression about art's function. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking analysis. Editor: Likewise, the nuances of process you brought forth allows for a much richer and critical encounter with the piece.