Numbers #7 1968

Robert Indiana made this "Numbers #7," with paint and, I suspect, stencils, because the edges are so crisp. You know, paint can be anything: thick, thin, drippy, or in this case, super flat. The flatness here, it's almost like a dare. Like Indiana is saying, "How much can I take away and still have it be interesting?" I love the hot, slightly clashing colors: the red ground, the orange circle, the cool blue number. It’s a simple formula that makes for a vivid image. The curve of the seven is so juicy, it reminds me of a Matisse cutout. The way he gets this kind of simple but bold geometry... it makes me think of early Stuart Davis, who also turned everyday signage into something fantastic. It's a reminder that art can be anywhere, even in the numbers we use every day.