Plunge 2000

Editor: So, this is Joel Janowitz's watercolor, "Plunge," at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by how the loose washes create a sense of shimmering light on the water. How do you interpret this work within a broader artistic or social context? Curator: Janowitz created this during a period when watercolor was gaining recognition as a serious medium, moving away from purely amateur status. How might the scale of the work—those large dimensions—contribute to its public reception? Editor: That's a good point, its size gives it a presence that demands attention. Curator: Exactly! It’s meant to be seen, to be considered, and to contribute to a broader dialogue about the role and value of landscape art in our culture. Editor: I see. The scale elevates it, declaring its importance. Thanks, I hadn’t considered that before! Curator: My pleasure. It's about understanding how art stakes its claim in the world.