Dimensions: image: 760 x 720 mm frame: 865 x 825 x 37 mm
Copyright: © Langlands and Bell | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: This work, by Langlands & Bell, presents a meticulous, almost ethereal depiction of the Great Mosque in Cordoba. Editor: My first thought is that it seems incredibly restrained. The monochromatic palette and subtle relief create a really quiet, meditative mood. Curator: Precisely. The artists employ a limited range of textures, directing attention to the architectural form rendered through minimalist means. It provokes questions regarding the spatial and historical narratives of religious architecture. Editor: It's fascinating how such a monumental historical building is reduced to a network of fine lines and shapes. The Mosque holds so much socio-political significance; how does such a pared-down aesthetic affect its public role? Curator: It prompts us to reconsider how we understand and represent sacred spaces, highlighting the contrast between their historical grandeur and their abstracted essence. Editor: I appreciate how it encourages a deeper engagement with the building's intrinsic qualities. Curator: Indeed, the artwork achieves an extraordinary balance between form and concept.