Mars by Robert Indiana

The word MARS burns in red capitals. Indiana’s Mars is a single, towering glyph, not a planet or god. A thick black border frames the letters like a vintage road sign. The red is flat, matte, the kind that doesn’t fade. Shadows are absent; the letters cast no weight. Below, a small white rectangle holds a single black star—minimal, almost an afterthought. Hang it where corridors turn, above a console table that collects keys and loose change.