Towards an International Socialism (after "Icebergs in Space" 1989 by Chris Foss) 1997

Curator: Before us is Glenn Brown's "Towards an International Socialism (after 'Icebergs in Space' 1989 by Chris Foss)," an acrylic on canvas created in 1997. Editor: My first impression is… otherworldly. The vastness of the iceberg, juxtaposed against what appears to be a planet below, gives it a feeling of cold isolation. A compelling exercise in scale, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Absolutely. And beyond the immediate visual impact, it's vital to acknowledge Brown’s engagement with postmodern art strategies of appropriation and pastiche. By explicitly referencing Chris Foss, he's not just borrowing an image but also invoking the historical context of science fiction illustration and its relationship to Cold War anxieties. This intersects with socialist ideologies offering utopian visions of collectivity and equality in direct opposition to dominant capitalist structures. Editor: While your perspective offers compelling context, I can't help but marvel at the surface. Note the meticulous details, the contrast between the stark white iceberg and the dark blues of space and earth. It almost feels photographic in its realism, which is ironic, given the surreal subject matter. Observe the planes of the berg. And consider how those color contrasts establish volume. Curator: That tension between realism and surrealism is precisely where Brown critiques traditional notions of originality and authorship. He is inviting us to examine how images circulate and accumulate meaning over time. The 'international socialism' implied by the title is further complicated given the time of creation, post-USSR, marking the decline of many social movements during a moment of economic deregulation and increasing Western hegemony. It points to failed or lost futures, frozen in time. Editor: A poignant reading, connecting technique and subject matter. However, I remain fascinated by the abstract qualities, like the texture of the iceberg contrasting with the planet’s smoother surface. Curator: The piece demands that we consider how socio-political landscapes reflect internal ideological shifts. I appreciate how it serves as a stark reminder to question the supposed newness of capitalist progress as it obscures alternative societal models. Editor: A captivating encounter, regardless. A stimulating marriage between painterly abstraction and powerful contextual depth.