17 1986

Curator: Immediately, the rawness of the line strikes me; it's almost brutal in its directness. Editor: This is "17" by Brice Marden. The work is part of the Tate Collections, and what we’re seeing is a compelling exploration of form through the medium of etching. Curator: Etching, yes, so the labor of mark-making is made visible. I’m curious about the cultural context—the labor involved in printmaking versus painting perhaps? Editor: The stark composition and interplay of black and white create a tension, almost a visual push and pull, wouldn't you agree? It's about the relationship between positive and negative space. Curator: It's also about the materials themselves and the artist's hand. How the plate was prepared, inked, wiped... the traces of the process are intrinsic to the work's meaning. Editor: Indeed. Marden’s ability to distill form to its essence, utilizing simple lines, presents an intriguing formal exercise. Thank you, Brice Marden. Curator: A fascinating piece. It truly reveals how the means of production affect our experience of art.