Envy 2008

Curator: This vibrant work, simply titled "Envy," comes to us from the artist Michael Craig-Martin. Editor: It's immediately striking. The neon colors and sharp lines give it such a bold, almost aggressive feel. Curator: Craig-Martin often uses everyday objects in his work, and here we see the ghostly outlines of a fan superimposed over the word "Envy." It's like the object of desire is both present and absent. Editor: I wonder about the choice of materials. It appears to be a print, perhaps screenprint. The flatness really emphasizes the manufactured, reproducible nature of the image and the desire it represents. Curator: "Envy" is one of the seven deadly sins. Perhaps the fan represents a desire for what others have, something cool and refreshing just out of reach, or maybe it's a cool modern life that is unobtainable. Editor: It makes me think about how envy is often fueled by consumer culture, the constant exposure to images of idealized lifestyles and possessions. Curator: Exactly! The fan could almost be a symbol of this modern age of mass production that always fuels consumerism. Editor: So, behind the flashy surface, it's really a smart and cutting commentary on the society that creates it. Curator: Absolutely. It offers a great deal for consideration, even within its limited use of line and colors.