Drawing inspiration from the color theories of Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica (b. 1937; d. 1980), Color is the First Revelation of the World is a poetic meditation on how color and form intersect, emphasizing the transformative nature of art. Grounded in a collection of monochromatic works—from abstraction to portraiture—in hues of blue, the exhibition spans the various histories of the twentieth century to pose timely, nuanced questions about the world around us.

Divided into four galleries, the first gallery in the exhibition reveals the underlying lines and structures of color, emphasizing how blue is a fundamental element that goes beyond its function as a mere accessory to objects. These blue geometries, known for transcending dimensions, open a portal for audiences to step into new worlds. In the second gallery, a large-scale sculptural installation by American artist Chris Burden (b. 1946; d. 2015) emphasizes the power of color to shape our perception of reality, transforming viewers from spectators into active participants. The third and fourth galleries brings together a constellation of works that explore the shift away from pure form to reveal how color lives in loaded personal and historical narratives all on its own, separate from us, yet dominates in the environments in which we coexist. Enabling viewers to follow their own paths and experience numerous connections within and across the galleries, the exhibition resists fixed interpretations, instead enlisting the color blue as a poignant reminder to live fully in the world.

Artists on view:

Igshaan Adams, Diedrick Brackens, Katherine Bradford, Chris Burden, Noah Davis, Sam Francis, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Mary Heilmann, Yves Klein, Tau Lewis, Laura Lima, Liza Lou, Agnes Martin, Hélio Oiticica, Judith Scott, Moffat Takadiwa, Mungo Thomson, Cy Twombly, Marie Watt, Mary Weatherford, Matthew Wong

Color is the First Revelation of the World is curated by Heidi Zuckerman, CEO and Director, Orange County Museum of Art.