Untitled 1962

Editor: This is an untitled mixed-media painting by Charlotte Posenenske, created in 1962. The stark contrast between the bold black and vibrant blue against the bare canvas is really striking. It feels immediate and raw. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The compositional elements, specifically the placement and interaction of the painted forms, command attention. Note how Posenenske orchestrates these masses, each one independent yet seemingly in dialogue through their proximity. The visible brushstrokes are also quite telling, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Definitely. They seem to convey a sense of energy and rapid execution, almost like she's capturing a fleeting thought. But how do you read that against the emptiness of the white space? Curator: Precisely! The unpainted portions function not merely as background, but as integral elements of the composition. They actively shape the way we perceive the painted marks. Think of it as a push and pull between presence and absence, positive and negative space. Posenenske is consciously exploring the tension between form and nothingness. Editor: So, it’s not just about the shapes themselves, but how they define and are defined by the space around them? Curator: Precisely. Moreover, the layering and varying textures – the impasto of the blue versus the thinner application of black – introduce another layer of visual complexity, don’t you think? Posenenske wants us to focus solely on what’s there, how it relates to other compositional elements and what’s noticeably missing. Editor: I see it now! It's fascinating how such seemingly simple forms can be so complex when you analyze their relationships. Curator: Absolutely. Reducing representational subject matter allows Posenenske to really investigate the inherent properties of paint. Hopefully it’s encouraged you to keep interrogating artworks this closely! Editor: It has! I’ll never look at abstract art the same way again.