Polo Lounge, Diptych 1989

Editor: LeRoy Neiman’s "Polo Lounge, Diptych," created in 1989 using watercolor, captures a busy restaurant scene. The use of quick strokes gives it a feeling of spontaneity, but I’m a bit lost on where to start unpacking it. What catches your eye when you look at this work? Curator: The interplay between line and wash immediately asserts itself. Notice how the artist uses fluid, transparent layers of watercolor to define space, yet relies on emphatic lines to delineate form and capture the dynamic energy of the figures. Editor: It does feel like two different approaches in one piece. What is Neiman trying to accomplish using both? Curator: The tension between the fleeting quality of watercolor washes and the decisiveness of the line creates a vibrant contrast, doesn’t it? Neiman isn't just representing a scene, he is attempting to encapsulate the bustling energy and fleeting interactions of the Polo Lounge. Consider how the loose washes suggest movement and atmosphere, while the precise lines capture the distinct characteristics of the individuals. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It really does give it that sense of place and time, a real snapshot feeling. Curator: Precisely! By investigating the interplay of artistic techniques we gain an insight into how an artist can convey dynamism within a still medium. What might you call Neiman’s overriding strategy? Editor: Now I can see the push-pull between media more clearly, helping highlight the ephemeral feel and glamorous setting. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. There are depths of engagement awaiting every thoughtful viewer.