Pssst! 2005

Editor: This is Fred Wilson's "Pssst!" from 2005, a sculpture. It's quite striking, with its smooth, dark surface punctuated by these peering eyes. There’s something a little unsettling about it, almost like being watched. What's your interpretation? Curator: That unsettling feeling is precisely where Wilson often begins. Think about his work in the context of museums: he’s known for intervening in their displays to expose hidden power dynamics. Could this piece be a comment on surveillance, on who is watching whom in these spaces and why? Editor: I hadn't considered that angle. So the "eyes" aren't just a stylistic choice, but potentially represent a critical view of institutional power? Curator: Absolutely. Consider also the title, "Pssst!" It implies a secret being shared, or perhaps a warning. Who is being warned, and about what? Wilson encourages us to question the narratives we're presented with. How might the cultural background of the museum-goer affect their understanding of this warning? Editor: It’s interesting how he uses this seemingly simple form to raise complex questions about power and representation. I was initially drawn to the aesthetic, but now I see so much more depth. Curator: Precisely. Wilson's work is a powerful reminder that art is never truly neutral; it's always operating within a social and political context. The politics of imagery are at play even here. Editor: I definitely have a new perspective on approaching contemporary sculpture. Thanks for that. Curator: My pleasure. Looking closely at an artist’s perspective always gives us a wider view of the culture of art.