Alpenhorn 1968

Editor: This is Samuel Buri’s "Alpenhorn" from 1968, made with mixed media incorporating textile and acrylic paint. It's strikingly vibrant, almost psychedelic. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: What I find interesting is the interplay of materials and how they relate to the context of its production. Look at the grid; it reminds me of textile production, a craft traditionally considered 'lower' than painting, yet here, it dictates the composition. Editor: So, the materials challenge this hierarchy of art forms? Curator: Exactly. Buri uses these accessible, almost mundane materials to elevate them. What’s fascinating is that it was created in 1968. How does the choice of materials speak to the socio-political context of that time? Editor: Well, the late 60s were a time of upheaval, questioning established norms... Could the mixed media represent a breakdown of traditional artistic boundaries? Curator: Precisely! And the "Alpenhorn," traditionally associated with rural, Alpine culture, is reinterpreted through this modern lens. He is, in essence, taking a very traditional subject and imbuing it with a very contemporary, even subversive materiality. What do you make of that juxtaposition? Editor: I see now – the piece becomes more than just a pretty picture. It's a commentary on value, labor, and the consumption of culture. I wouldn't have considered the textile aspect at first. Curator: That’s the power of examining the materials. It reframes our understanding entirely. Editor: This makes me consider the work of art as not just the end product, but also all the labour that was required for its production. I think I'll definitely see more than meets the eye from now on.