Encounter 1962

Curator: Here we have Robert Mallary's "Encounter," a compelling print from 1962. Its composition is immediately striking. The black ink contrasts sharply against the stark white paper, giving it a sense of drama. Editor: Yes, there's an intensity here, a controlled explosion. The strong, almost aggressive brushstrokes are really commanding, while that singular line evokes the tension that might arise in human interaction. Curator: It's interesting you use the word explosion because Mallary’s process involved a sort of deconstruction of form. The artist's interest in abstraction can be considered against the backdrop of the sociopolitical landscape, with shifts and debates across various facets of American culture, as seen in art. Editor: True, it can also be seen through the artist's manipulation of the physical properties of ink. There’s the thick ring, the spatter, and the way that the bold line thins and feathers at its end. Semiotically speaking, that kind of interplay invites various readings; perhaps a sense of movement counteracted by a firm foundation. Curator: Right, that solidity is essential, given that, as a member of the New York avant-garde scene, Mallary navigated postwar art's engagement with existentialism. Encounter implies agency within abstract expressionist idioms of the era. It serves as an inquiry into selfhood, relationships, and place. Editor: And there is an enigmatic quality to that perfect circle as it becomes fragmented by line and shadow. If we think of the Gestalt principle, the eye strives to complete a figure, meaning this intentional disruption becomes pivotal. The artist masterfully deploys that element to activate our visual senses, prompting the mind to engage. Curator: "Encounter" seems to operate almost as a visual manifesto, responding to broader cultural movements. It’s as relevant today in exploring themes of identity and communication in these politically contentious and isolating times as when Mallary conceived it. Editor: Ultimately, I am drawn to the stark visual energy, an elemental composition, it offers continuous possibilities.