State Tablecloth II 2009

Curator: What a curious piece. Pavlo Makov created "State Tablecloth II" in 2009, employing mixed media and drawing on paper. Visually, we’re presented with a grid overlaid with groupings of fork-like shapes. The entire surface appears aged or stained. What jumps out at you initially? Editor: Oh, I'm immediately struck by a sense of melancholy and faded grandeur, as if a formal banquet has long concluded and only the ghosts of utensils remain. There's a haunting, almost forensic quality to the arrangement, don’t you think? Like evidence meticulously cataloged. Curator: Precisely. It's compelling how Makov uses these common, domestic objects to suggest larger sociopolitical themes. The ordered, grid-like background, in combination with repetitive images of tableware, might allude to standardized, even controlled social interactions, wouldn't you agree? The “state” part of the title rings loud and clear! Editor: Yes, absolutely! It also resonates with an awareness of fragility. Those delicate forks on aged, stained paper speak volumes about how supposedly stable structures decay. The repetition almost lulls you into a false sense of security. I also find the drawing technique noteworthy, a seemingly rushed line. I wonder what the intention was? Curator: The somewhat rushed or unfinished lines definitely convey a feeling of imperfection and transience, which underscores the idea of instability and decay. Furthermore, that feeling is compounded by these ring-like motifs in between the cutlery lines, possibly coffee stains? A great state of abandonment! In this piece, he transforms something ordinary and overlooked, a tablecloth, into a metaphor for broader issues. Editor: He achieves it so effectively! We've moved from dining table to a compelling and disquieting reflection on order, fragility, and power. This kind of metamorphosis that transcends what initially appears to be mundanity is such an enjoyable viewing experience. Curator: It leaves us thinking long after the 'meal' is over, doesn't it? A beautiful example of art prompting uncomfortable but essential societal reflection!