23 1986

Editor: This is Brice Marden's "23," a black and white print currently at the Tate. The lines are so bold, yet the image feels fragile somehow. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating an etching. The physical act of scoring the plate, the chemical processes of the acid bath, and then the printing itself. It's a layered process. How does the visibility of this labor affect your understanding? Editor: I see what you mean. Thinking about the physical effort behind each line gives it more weight, a sense of deliberate action. It's not just an image; it's a record of making. Curator: Exactly! By focusing on the materiality and the artistic process, we can appreciate how Marden elevated these methods. Editor: I never would have thought about that! Thanks for your insight.