Dockland III 1972

Editor: This is Gerd Winner's "Dockland III." The lack of date makes it feel suspended in time. It's a print, but the texture makes it almost tactile. It feels…oppressive. What do you see here? Curator: Oppressive is a good word. Consider the urban renewal projects of the mid-20th century. How did these re-imaginings of urban space impact working-class communities? Were these docklands spaces of opportunity or confinement? Editor: So, the mood isn’t accidental. The artist might be commenting on the social impact of these developments? Curator: Exactly. How might the artist be using the visual language of urban planning, such as stark lines and imposing scale, to express these social critiques? Editor: I hadn't considered the scale as a tool for communicating social commentary. Thanks! Curator: And I learned that oppressive feelings can be a powerful starting point for historical analysis.