The Atlantic – The Rivalry that Defines America 2022

Curator: Owen Gent's illustration, "The Atlantic – The Rivalry that Defines America" from 2022... It has a really striking graphic feel. My first thought is tension—physical, psychological, even existential. Editor: Yes, the piece exudes an inescapable tension. Two figures locked in what appears to be a tug-of-war. Given the title's reference to "America's rivalry," the image subtly hints at broader themes: ideological division, political gridlock, and perhaps even racial tensions. Curator: Exactly! There's an abstract quality with those meandering red lines; they bind and choke the composition. And the grainy texture feels significant—is this division, or shared humanity? It's oddly hopeful in that everyone is connected by the same rope. Editor: The red lines certainly do that. Think about the concept of "redlining," for instance, in urban planning, and the way those practices perpetuate systemic inequalities. Or even, stepping back, think of them as "lifelines" – economic policies and legal structures designed to benefit some communities while disadvantaging others. The figures in opposition underscore these narratives. Curator: That's a pretty stark interpretation. I was also thinking about community. The figures have their unique clothing choices—striped versus solid. Those choices mark out unique personalities—like they're arguing over the same piece of abstract modern art—or maybe that artwork is a reflection of them. Editor: Individuality yes. But isn’t that emphasis on "choice" a liberal trope that deflects away from the limited options afforded to different demographics in contemporary America? I read that clash of aesthetics through a social justice lens, one foregrounding power imbalances. Curator: Mmm. That hadn't occurred to me. This single line in this composition feels both binding and yet ready to snap. How strange. Editor: The beauty of art, isn’t it? To see something from so many vantage points… I'll need to reflect further on what you have offered, but I find Gent's composition compelling for opening so many theoretical threads for discussion and debate.