Reproductie van beeld H. Moore sculpture et tenir 1938

This is a photograph of Lilly Samuel's reproduction of a Henry Moore sculpture. Imagine the hand of the sculptor, steadily carving, taking away what is not needed to reveal this organic form. Moore's original sculptures are a touchstone for modernism; they often explore the relationship between the human figure and the natural world. Samuel is grappling with these ideas, but also something about reproduction itself. What does it mean to copy something? Is it an act of reverence, critique, or something in between? I see in the smooth, flowing lines a negotiation between mass and void, between what’s there and what isn’t. The hole becomes as important as the solid form, inviting us to consider what it means to occupy space, both physically and conceptually. Artists are always in conversation with each other, riffing on ideas and forms across time and place. Samuel's reproduction of Moore's sculpture invites us to participate in this creative dialogue, to bring our own perspectives and experiences to bear on the work.