Tactile Object 2 1969

Curator: Paul Neagu created "Tactile Object 2," currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It looks like something you'd find in an old workshop, perhaps a sieve for separating materials. Curator: These tactile objects were meant to challenge artistic norms. Neagu questioned the institutions that determined what was considered art. Editor: The materials are interesting—wood, metal, and what looks like a mesh screen. Clearly, the hand is very present in its construction. It emphasizes the physicality of labor. Curator: Absolutely. Neagu’s work encouraged a reevaluation of art's purpose, pushing it beyond mere aesthetics to engage social and political thought. Editor: Seeing the object hanging, I’m wondering what the artist intended the viewer to touch, and if this was about the viewer's labor. Curator: That's right; Neagu wanted art to be more participatory, more connected to everyday life. Editor: Food for thought, indeed, considering what qualifies as art.