Glossary [collaboration with Richard Demarco] 1971

Editor: Here we have Ian Hamilton Finlay’s "Glossary," a print featuring boat illustrations, in collaboration with Richard Demarco. I’m struck by the almost technical, blueprint-like quality. What’s your take? Curator: Notice how the printmaking process itself, with its capacity for reproduction and subtle variation in color, mirrors the industrial production of boats. Finlay elevates the design and labor involved, questioning our notion of "high art" versus functional design. It's not just about the image of a boat, but the means of its creation. Editor: So, the process is as important as the final image? Curator: Precisely. Finlay invites us to consider the social and economic context of production inherent in both art and industry, ultimately blurring those lines. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. There's always more to discover when we consider the tangible reality of art-making.