Untitled 2009 - 2011

Curator: John Gossage captured this scene between 2009 and 2011; the work, aptly titled "Untitled," presents a curious still life amidst an urban setting. Editor: The immediate impression is one of austere tranquility; the palette is muted, the composition quietly geometric. The harsh light throws pronounced shadows, heightening the starkness. Curator: Indeed. Considering Gossage's documented interest in the mundane corners of the everyday, one could read this as a subtle commentary on urban decay and perhaps the forgotten labor within it. A red hose coiled against a decaying wall reminds us about how access to such mundane resources like water remain unevenly distributed. Editor: Interesting. To me, it’s the composition that resonates strongest. The vertical thrust of the drainpipe contrasts nicely with the circular form of the hose, each element anchored by the rectangular forms below. There's a deliberate play between hard lines and soft curves. Curator: I would argue it’s precisely within this ‘deliberate play’ that societal commentary emerges. Note how the 'orderly' drainage structure stands juxtaposed against an almost 'disorderly', languid hose. There are subtle, socio-economic hierarchies visually coded within its layout. Editor: That's a valid point. Looking again, the muted palette also serves a purpose, unifying the disparate elements into a cohesive whole, emphasizing the underlying geometry. Curator: Right—a unified visual language that speaks of underlying systemic disparities. I see how formalism allows access to such conversations. It is not merely what you see; but, importantly, what implications such visuality evokes. Editor: Yes, a focus on the structural enables us to explore a fuller, contextualized picture of meaning. Thanks for illuminating aspects I hadn’t considered. Curator: Likewise. These pieces hold complexities that unveil themselves gradually; perhaps we've only scratched the surface.