‘All that’s solid melts into air (Karl Marx)’ 2006

Curator: Vong Phaophanit’s ‘All that’s solid melts into air (Karl Marx)’ is a 33-minute video installation, acquired by the Tate. The piece immediately strikes me with its rather rough, almost documentary-like aesthetic. What is your initial impression? Editor: The title, of course, points us toward Marx's famous quote about the disruptive force of capitalism. Looking at the scene in the video, I'm struck by how everyday it is. Curator: Indeed, and that tension between the profound title and the seemingly mundane scene is quite deliberate. The interplay of light and shadow, the framing of the figure... Editor: I think it's essential to consider Phaophanit's background here. He was born in Laos and much of his work engages with postcolonial themes and the impact of global capital on Southeast Asia. Curator: A crucial point. The artist has carefully composed the image to evoke a sense of transience, a visual metaphor for the very dissolving of established social orders that Marx described. Editor: So, we're left to contemplate not just Marx's theory, but its human impact—the everyday experiences reshaped by economic forces. Curator: Exactly. The artist uses the formal structure to invite deeper questions, reflecting on the human condition in the face of unstoppable change. Editor: It all prompts us to consider the resilience of individuals amid larger political and economic shifts.