Take Two, D.H.O.M.S., Vol. I, No. 8 1973 - 2001

Editor: This is Bruce Conner's "Take Two, D.H.O.M.S., Vol. I, No. 8" from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a striking print, maybe a photogravure. The monument appears surreal, almost unstable. What do you see in its formal composition? Curator: Observe how the artist employs stark contrasts to create visual tension. The geometric monument clashes with the organic forms of the surrounding foliage. Note the repetition of rectangular shapes, subtly offset by the wreath’s circularity. Do you think this enhances or detracts from the piece? Editor: I think the tension adds to the work. I hadn’t considered the repetition before. Curator: These formal elements—the interplay of light and shadow, geometric versus organic forms—create a dialogue that is both visually arresting and conceptually intriguing. The visual rhythm invites contemplation. Editor: That's a new perspective for me. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, a stimulating exercise in visual literacy.