wet and wild 1967

Curator: This screenprint, "wet and wild," by Corita Kent, presents bold lettering against a vibrant ground. The piece resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It hits me with an immediate sense of pop exuberance. The color contrast is striking, and the shapes are so playful—it feels very much of its time, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely. Kent was deeply involved in social justice movements, and her art often incorporates text and vibrant colors to convey messages of hope and activism, drawing on religious iconography. Editor: And screenprinting itself is such an accessible medium; inexpensive, and easily reproducible. Kent's choice feels aligned with her message, making art for the masses. Curator: Precisely. The text, which appears to be from religious writings, gains a new resonance within this Pop Art context. Consider the way Kent layers meaning and visual impact. Editor: It's a fascinating interplay between the spiritual and the material, the sacred and the everyday. The rough edges and the immediate quality of the print enhance that tension. Curator: Indeed, it offers a powerful message about faith in the contemporary world. Editor: This piece shows us how art can be both deeply meaningful and radically accessible.