State Façade 1990

Curator: James Casebere's "State Façade," invites contemplation. The monochromatic rendering sets a stark, almost dreamlike tone. Editor: The composition is so striking. The severe geometry against the deep black...it feels stage-like, theatrical. Curator: It's fascinating how Casebere uses architecture as a symbol. The faceless facade, devoid of life, speaks to the anonymity of power. The classical forms evoke historical precedents. Editor: The high contrast emphasizes the purity of form, but there's a certain flatness too. The surface reads as a constructed reality. It removes any sense of history or specific time. Curator: Perhaps that's the point. It speaks to the enduring nature of symbolic structures, how they transcend specific contexts. We carry images of power. Editor: It’s this tension between reality and representation that captivates. The starkness makes me contemplate its psychological weight. Curator: Yes, I find the work leaves a lasting impression about the way buildings convey stories. Editor: Indeed, a beautiful study in form and the weight of symbols.