Indigo 1990

Editor: Al Held's "Indigo," created in 1990 using acrylic paint, certainly commands attention with its array of geometric shapes. There's a push and pull between the vibrant colors and the hard edges that makes the work seem playful but also strangely imposing. What do you see in this piece, particularly considering the title "Indigo?" Curator: The title “Indigo” certainly acts as a signpost. Though indigo itself appears to be a relatively small element, I wonder if Held is hinting at something deeper within these geometries. Held frequently explores complex spatial relationships and his titles often allude to underlying systems of thought. Do these shapes remind you of anything specific—perhaps architectural blueprints, cosmological diagrams, or even musical notation? Consider how color affects spatial perception – what cultural memory does Held invoke here? Editor: I can see elements of architectural drawings, especially in the implied depth within some of the shapes, but what would you say Held is trying to evoke or make the viewer feel, then? Curator: Perhaps this isn’t so much about dictating a specific feeling, but more about prompting an encounter with these forms on multiple levels. Held used symbols of modern abstraction; in this sense, they speak a language of progress and futuristic aspiration that may also now trigger melancholic reflection. What do you think Held may have wanted to suggest about our relationship with modernity through these almost iconic forms? Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn’t considered that historical context. The colours do make the geometries appear bold, but, like you say, in a way that is now outdated. Curator: Yes. Symbols age; their meanings warp. The strength of “Indigo” perhaps lies in its ability to evoke that experience of cultural memory itself. Editor: I see! It definitely gives me a lot to think about. Thank you!