Reaper (h) 1949

Editor: This is Richard Hamilton's "Reaper (h)," an undated etching from the Tate. It feels very technical, like a blueprint. What strikes you about its materiality and production? Curator: The etching process itself is crucial. Think about the labor involved, the precise application of acid to create these lines. It transforms a machine, usually associated with industrial labor, into a handcrafted object. How does that tension speak to you? Editor: I see that now! It's about elevating the mundane through careful craftsmanship. It makes me wonder about our consumption of mass-produced goods. Curator: Exactly! Hamilton is questioning the boundaries between mass production and individual artistic creation. This piece encourages us to consider the social and economic context of artmaking and its relationship to everyday life. Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective, I never thought of it that way before. Curator: It’s all about looking closer at the means of production.