Alizarin Lake 1924

Curator: Here we have "Alizarin Lake", produced in 1936 by Stanley Doggett Inc., a sample of pigment alongside a colour calibration chart. Editor: The immediate impact is striking. That vivid red, juxtaposed with the cool, controlled grid, creates a tension between emotion and analysis. Curator: Alizarin is a synthetic pigment that replaced the natural dye derived from madder root. Red is a powerful signifier of passion, sacrifice, and revolution across cultures. Editor: The composition is very deliberate. The placement of the pigment and the color chart create a stark contrast between the raw material and standardized color. Curator: Exactly. It reminds us that even seemingly objective tools are rooted in cultural choices and human perception. Editor: It’s fascinating to see a manufactured substance presented in this way, almost like a scientific specimen, yet hinting at the potential for artistic expression. Curator: Indeed. It invites reflection on how we understand colour through both scientific and cultural lenses. Editor: Yes, seeing both the pigment and the chart together really illuminates those tensions, doesn't it?