Warm Summer 2017

Curator: Looking at David Michael Hinnebusch’s "Warm Summer" from 2017, created using acrylic paint, my initial feeling is one of unease mixed with vibrant energy. The figures seem to emerge from a chaotic, almost graffiti-like background. Editor: The piece feels almost primal, doesn’t it? Given that Hinnebusch is working in the 21st century, let's consider the art historical and theoretical touchpoints for such a raw representation of the body. The fragmented figures, seemingly caught mid-motion, evoke questions around contemporary identity, perhaps anxieties. The very title suggests a warm languidity which is at odds with the visible edginess within the acrylic application and paint choices. Curator: Right. And the apparent nods to Abstract Expressionism are interesting when viewed through a political lens. The messy, chaotic strokes read almost like rebellion against traditional artistic constraints, echoing societal unrest in ways that reflect counter-culture practices from within contemporary movements. Does it critique the gaze? Editor: Absolutely. I think we can analyze Hinnebusch's creative practice, in view of a new conceptual framework, shifting our awareness of power relationships. Here, he actively disorientates notions of art’s purpose and viewership. And that raw materiality – the aggressive layering of paint and what appears to be deliberate scratching away – suggests the social landscape of protest in the new millennium. What I find particularly powerful is how the lack of definition allows the viewer to project meaning onto the figures, engaging them directly in constructing narrative and identity. It asks who is seeing, and what their personal and political stake might be. Curator: It’s interesting to think about how an artwork made with such bold, somewhat violent strokes could also speak to vulnerability and resilience. It’s almost as if he’s acknowledging that vulnerability can coexist with great inner strength, defying gendered expectations. I can almost hear these bodies shouting their protest. Editor: Yes. "Warm Summer" provokes crucial discussion beyond the art world, encouraging us to consider these concepts while contributing in many complex discourses of identity. Thank you. Curator: And thank you.