Sangüesa 1982

Curator: Valerie Thornton's "Sangüesa" presents us with a fascinating study in architectural detail. The image dimensions are 648 by 416 mm, and it resides in the Tate Collections. Editor: The print has a monumental presence. I'm immediately struck by the density of the carved details and the weight of the stone. Curator: Absolutely. Thornton's technique really emphasizes the physical act of creation. Look at how the lines build up to describe the facade. It invites us to consider the labor of the artisans who originally crafted the building, and Thornton’s labor in reproducing it. Editor: Indeed, and the print invites us to consider the role of religious architecture, particularly Romanesque cathedrals, in shaping cultural values and the control of information. Curator: It's remarkable how she uses a limited palette to convey the texture and age of the building’s materials. Editor: Yes, and how Thornton transforms this cathedral façade into a commentary on power, belief, and the institutions that perpetuate them. Curator: A really thought-provoking intersection of architectural history and material practice. Editor: I agree. Thornton pushes us to see the politics embedded within stone and ink.