Tower Blocks 2007

Editor: This painting, "Tower Blocks" by Frank Auerbach, created in 2007 using oil paint in an impasto style, it really explodes off the canvas! All those thick brushstrokes and intense colors – it almost feels like the city is alive, pulsating. What's your interpretation of it? Curator: I see it as a potent commentary on urban life and its inherent contradictions. Auerbach, known for his expressionistic cityscapes of London, uses these heavy layers of paint to capture not just the physical structures but the *experience* of living amongst them. Think about the social context: postwar London was rebuilding, grappling with issues of housing, community, and identity. Does this painting suggest anything to you about how public spaces were conceived then versus now? Editor: That makes a lot of sense! The buildings are so dense, almost claustrophobic. It's interesting you mention identity – the painting could be read as a representation of the collective experience. Is the artist depicting London, the city itself, or also the individual experience of being immersed in an ever changing community? Curator: Exactly. And how did institutions in the art world, like galleries and museums, help frame public perceptions of urban development during this time? Was it about celebrating progress or critiquing the human cost? It's a powerful reminder of the complex relationship between art, urban planning, and societal values. What's something you can appreciate now that we spoke about that you did not before? Editor: I hadn't really considered how the artistic interpretation of cityscapes could reflect those deeper anxieties and societal shifts that shape the everyday experience of living in a rapidly evolving urban environment. Curator: Indeed, now when I look at Auerbach's work I'm further prompted to consider what shapes contemporary visions of cities and city dwellers today.