Rudy Pozzatti juried this print by Robert A. Nelson into the first ColorPrint USA exhibition in 1969. The work was also awarded a purchase prize. The print is composed of flat areas of blended color, lithographic drawing, and 3-dimensional elements made of paper and illustration board. The work plays as a paper doll or action figure that can be assembled and includes segmented areas, blueprint-like arrows and directions, and extra accessories including a small booklet of pineapple grenades and a blaster pistol riveted to the print. Above the grenade is the word “OZ”, a reference to one of Nelson’s primary inspirations, the 1900 novel, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum. The absurdity of the subject assures that it could have a place in that far off literary world of munchkins and tin woodsmen, but may also reference this world’s  bravado, military oafishness and predilection for destruction.

M Glenn