Christmas Card 1973

Curator: Looking at this 1973 print titled "Christmas Card," by Burton Wasserman, it's immediately clear we're diving into a realm of Pop-Art abstraction. The geometric design is strikingly bold, but there's something else here that arrests my attention... what do you think? Editor: I dig it. It’s like a deconstructed Mondrian threw a party with a Memphis Group design. The color scheme is vibrant, but that massive black rectangle throws a wrench in the whole celebration, like the punch bowl spiked with existential dread. Curator: Right, and I think that tension is precisely what Wasserman was aiming for. While it’s visually simple, the socio-political climate of the 70s adds layers of meaning. This wasn’t just a holiday greeting, it's an encapsulation of social discourse that speaks to how counter culture challenged traditions during this time period, especially in an increasingly mass produced society. Wasserman was certainly on the cutting edge... Editor: Totally. It's almost cynical for a "Christmas card," and I'm here for it! This speaks volumes without uttering a single cheesy, sentimental phrase. That block demands to be interpreted as a void, a symbol of anti-consumerist sentiment that became popular after Post-War economic growth had slowed, and there was social angst building amongst artists in metropolitan areas. Curator: The title "Christmas Card" may have been intentionally ironic, especially since abstraction removes most symbolic associations found within figuration. Also, it makes one wonder: Who was this L.R. to whom this card was made? What sort of intellectual circle produced and enjoyed art such as this at such a tumultuous historical moment? These are essential contextual details to take into account as viewers! Editor: This makes me consider Wasserman was thinking way outside the box. I can only wonder what holiday card he would send nowadays, given where society is. I would love a personalized one. Curator: Ultimately, I find "Christmas Card" to be more complex than its minimal aesthetics imply. The combination of form and historical moment speaks of a generation trying to find its voice through deconstruction. Editor: It is very striking. A conversation starter that really digs under the skin, much like the social context within which it was created. Happy holidays indeed.