Aubette 1959

Curator: So striking! I'm drawn in by the immediacy of it. Editor: Indeed. What we're looking at here is a print called "Aubette" dating from 1959, by Jean Arp. The bold color palette creates such a playful feel. Curator: Playful, yes, but also economical, wouldn’t you say? The simplicity is really quite striking. Considering Arp's Dada roots and how that movement questioned the preciousness of art objects and elevated everyday materials. Editor: That's a fantastic point. It speaks volumes about accessibility and reproduction doesn't it? Moving away from unique canvases to something that can be disseminated. Let's consider the medium itself: a print. The reproduction method opens up so many channels, and how that affects how art finds its audience. Curator: Absolutely. Arp started experimenting with non-representational forms as early as the 1910s. The influence of institutional patronage, galleries opening up, funding playing a key role in artistic validation. “Aubette” really sits at an important moment for abstract art finding acceptance. Editor: Definitely, it makes one consider Arp's material process here – what kinds of printing techniques? The flatness almost mimics collage in its crisp shapes. Was that intentional in referencing earlier work? The print medium provides that interesting contrast – industrial production creating these almost organic forms. Curator: Well, thinking of its time, the late 50's saw a boom in screen-printing – its affordability made art more attainable, while simultaneously perhaps threatening notions of artistic skill. These artists navigated a changed system, with an audience newly versed in abstract language. It’s fascinating. Editor: Exactly, and a space between mass culture and unique production becomes apparent through examining artists and works from that period. This approach creates many novel avenues for examining this beautiful artwork. Curator: I agree, this artwork opens a window into considering societal influences. Editor: Likewise, studying materials allows an opportunity to discover so much about the trajectory of Jean Arp's oeuvre.