Addison Gallery of American Art

Beyond their effectiveness in depicting three-dimensionality and conveying light and shade to construct the illusion of space, black and white have long fascinated artists, as they are rich with symbolism, metaphor, and association. Comprised of challenging juxtapositions, harmonious ensembles, and unexpected pairings, this exhibition explores how artists use different formal elements and mediums to exploit the associative character of black and white and visually render conceptual themes. Through this lens, the work of artists such as Josef Albers, Roy DeCarava, Carroll Dunham, Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Ray Metzker, Louise Nevelson, Dorothea Rockburne, Fred Sandback, Frank Stella, Ad Reinhardt—whose avant-garde treatise on this subject inspired the title of the exhibition—and others from the Addison’s permanent collection will come into focus.

Photo: Dorothea Rockburne, "Locus 1," 1972