3 1986

Editor: This is "3" by Brice Marden. It looks like an etching. I'm struck by the contrast between the delicate lines and the rough texture of the plate. What do you see in it? Curator: I’m drawn to the labor inherent in the etching process. The artist's hand, guided by tools and chemicals, transforms the metal plate. Consider the socio-economic context of printmaking. Who had access to these materials and skills, and how does that affect our understanding of the work? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks! Curator: And how does the printed multiple democratize the image, offering a different mode of consumption than a unique painting? This tension is where the art resides.