Coupe bleue fruits et pipe 1980

Editor: So here we have "Coupe bleue fruits et pipe" by Cricorps, from 1980. The tags mention a variety of materials - gouache, oil pastel, acrylic, watercolour… It feels very domestic, doesn't it? I’m curious; how do you read a piece like this? Curator: I am drawn to how the artist utilizes readily available, quotidian items. We can infer about daily life of the artist from these elements, right? What kind of labor went into making this still life versus a more traditional landscape or portrait? Editor: That's interesting; I hadn't considered it in terms of labour before. It still seems pretty conventional to me. I mean, still lifes are a classic genre. Curator: Classic, but also – who has access to fruit, glassware, and tobacco? In 1980, what did these objects represent in terms of consumer culture? Notice how the patterned tabletop contrasts with the smooth fruit, it almost hints at class aspirations through materiality. How are those textures created and what does that tell us about technique? Editor: Ah, I see what you mean about the social implications. The accessibility of these objects makes me wonder if there’s something about challenging high art. All this emphasis on materials changes the conversation away from symbolism or hidden meanings. Curator: Exactly! What initially seemed like a traditional still life actually holds a complex story about the availability and consumption of materials and goods, challenging traditional boundaries and opening up dialogues on the artist's relationship to labour and consumption within their society. Editor: Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider about this "Coupe bleue fruits et pipe," it's a lot more than what meets the eye! Curator: Absolutely, materiality is the key.