Pews 1970

Editor: This is Edward Ruscha's "Pews," and what strikes me first is the word itself, rendered in this almost gothic script against the simple background. It feels weighty, almost ominous. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a deliberate disruption of our relationship to language. Ruscha often plays with words, but here, he seems to be questioning the very systems that give them meaning – think about how institutional spaces, like churches, have historically shaped narratives and controlled information. Editor: So you’re saying the gothic typeface and the word "Pews" aren’t just aesthetic choices, but a commentary on power structures? Curator: Precisely. It asks us to consider who controls the "news", and how that control impacts our understanding of the world. Do you think the artist succeeds in provoking such questions? Editor: I do. It definitely makes me think about the narratives we passively accept. Curator: And perhaps, inspires us to critically examine the sources and systems that shape our perceptions.