COMMUNITY COMMENT

Luis Jiminez
Couples Dancing
Lithograph
1979
Museum Purchase 1999.44

Through the narrow aisles of the vault, viewing pieces sometimes felt like an introduction to someone new with only three inches of space between myself and the new person. I wanted to step back, get a bit more of an overview. I don’t want to meet just one feature in someone’s face. I want to see their entire face.

This piece, I was glad to meet eye to eye. If I had walked by it in an open space, I might not have bothered to stop and engage, but eye-to-eye I enjoyed its presence. I don’t know if it’s a painting, a drawing, a print, some of all or something else: I enjoy that. Look at his denim pant leg; it looks as if it’s a drawing. But the outline of her skirt is raised in areas and set back in others, as if embossed. I don’t even know what to guess about the print of his shirt. Then there’s the movement in their dancing. Eye to eye: it’s a pleasure to have met you!