[no title] 1994

Editor: This photograph by Thomas Schütte features two ceramic busts. They appear confrontational, even aggressive. What kind of story do you think the artist is trying to tell here? Curator: Well, faces have always held a powerful grip on our collective psyche. The bust, particularly, has served as a potent symbol of authority and memory. Here, the distorted features and unsettling texture evoke a sense of unease. Does the artist perhaps critique the romanticized notions of leadership and power, revealing the fragility beneath the surface? Editor: That's a great point about fragility. I hadn’t considered how the material contributes to that feeling. Curator: Materiality is key. Ceramic, prone to cracking and decay, is an interesting choice. It seems to undermine any illusion of permanence, highlighting the transient nature of even the most imposing figures. Editor: This has completely changed my perspective! I’ll definitely look at Schütte’s work differently now.