Dialectic De Agua 1999

Curator: Douglas Abdell created this mixed media piece, entitled "Dialectic De Agua," in 1999. At first glance, what stands out to you about this abstract sculpture? Editor: There's something austere and almost unsettling about the composition. The rough, untreated wood of the base contrasts sharply with the meticulously carved stone. Curator: Precisely, the use of such raw materials lends itself to that sentiment. Douglas Abdell’s work frequently touches upon the relationship between ancient forms and modern perspectives. This juxtaposition underscores the concept. Looking at the rectangular shapes receding into the stone, how do you interpret that spatial dimension? Editor: I'm struck by how those concentric squares simultaneously create a sense of depth and entrapment. The geometric shape carved into the stone feels like a visual representation of power structures—oppressive systems, constantly closing in. I see the layered, textured wooden block that it sits on as essential, then; like this entire artwork is speaking to structural violence against natural resources and even perhaps those displaced by industry. Curator: I can see how your reading ties into broader themes of systemic oppression and environmental degradation, given Abdell's engagement with social and political history, as well as the physical properties of these carved mediums. Editor: Thinking about those politics informs the whole piece. Wood for scaffolding. Water erosion over stone. "Dialectic" even being in the title—as an appeal to truth as it emerges from the conversation itself. If we engage in dialogue we might achieve not consensus, but real insight? Curator: The title does suggest a back-and-forth, which mirrors the visual dialogue happening between the materials themselves. It prompts viewers to consider not just what they see, but the tensions and histories embedded within those objects. Editor: And isn’t that the essence of what we strive for – unveiling those untold histories and facilitating conversation? This piece, though seemingly simple, accomplishes it masterfully. Curator: It reminds us that art can exist as both object and active participant in critical conversations around materiality, nature, and power, all through the ages.