90 white walls 1970

Editor: This mixed-media collage is Dale Hickey's "90 white walls," created in 1970. It seems to be a collection of photographs housed within a simple box. There's something about the starkness and repetition that feels very conceptual. What do you see in this piece? Curator: From a formalist perspective, the essence of this piece lies in its interplay of repetition and variation. Notice how the seemingly identical photographs, when examined closely, reveal subtle differences in light and shadow, texture, and even composition. Editor: So, the variation within the repetition is significant? Curator: Precisely. The box itself functions as a frame, further isolating and emphasizing these visual elements. Think of the grid-like arrangement of the photographs inside. How does it affect your perception of the individual images? Editor: It almost flattens them, emphasizes their two-dimensionality and also makes the whole thing almost a singular thing. It's less about each 'white wall' but more about the overall impact. Curator: Exactly. Hickey compels us to focus on the inherent qualities of photography – its capacity to capture light, texture, and space – and how those qualities are transformed through repetition and containment. What do you make of its scale? Editor: Well, it’s not monumental; it’s domestic, even intimate. I suppose that encourages close inspection, driving the focus to the details. I like how the formal analysis here exposes the art's intent. Curator: Indeed, by directing our attention to the composition, materials, and arrangement, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's conceptual framework. It highlights how powerful the process of seeing can be, doesn't it? Editor: It does. Looking closely and analyzing elements brings it to life and also creates meaning. I appreciate it!