The Directions 1970

Curator: Esq Tom Phillips’ print, "The Directions," plays with language and form in such an intriguing way. It's part of the Tate collection, though it doesn't carry a specific date. Editor: It hits me as both playful and deeply thoughtful. The grid of text and abstract shapes—a kind of visual poem, right? Like instructions for seeing, or maybe feeling. Curator: Exactly! Phillips often combines text and image, prompting us to consider how we perceive and interpret the world around us. The relationship between language and image becomes almost a game. Editor: A game that pulls you in. It's like meditation prompts. "Direct the ear by silence" has me hooked. The color choices, too—a bit retro, but they pop. It's a journey inward, cleverly packaged as a set of directives. Curator: I think you've captured the essence of what Phillips aims for—a kind of self-discovery through the act of looking and reading. A dialogue between our inner and outer worlds. Editor: It's really made me think about the spaces between what we see, what we hear, and what we understand. A tiny visual prompt for a mindful pause.