He Must, So To Speak, Throw Away the Ladder 1965

Curator: Eduardo Paolozzi’s screenprint, "He Must, So To Speak, Throw Away the Ladder," presents a vibrant visual puzzle with striking geometric forms. Editor: It's overwhelmingly busy at first glance, almost chaotic, but those stripes evoke a sense of playful energy. I wonder about the title, though. Curator: Paolozzi’s work often explores the fragmentation of modern experience. This piece reflects his interest in Wittgenstein's philosophy—the idea that one must discard methods after achieving results. Editor: I see echoes of constructivism here, the simplification of form, but also something deeply psychological. The ladder, traditionally a symbol of upward progress, is rejected. What does that mean in a post-war context? Curator: Perhaps a rejection of hierarchical structures, a dismantling of old systems in favor of something new, more egalitarian, and embracing of technology. Editor: It makes me question the symbols of progress itself. Is this ladder a burden or a tool? Curator: A fascinating question, and one that Paolozzi provokes. Editor: I'll be looking at ladders differently now.