Circle of Signs. The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the First Folder 1978

Editor: So, here we have Valerii Lamakh’s "Circle of Signs," a drawing from 1978, rendered in ink. It's quite striking – a ring of geometric shapes, each contained within a smaller circle. It gives me a feeling of…order, almost like a diagram or blueprint. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This drawing speaks to the artist’s process more than any illusionistic content. Note the repetition, the careful application of ink, the almost industrial quality despite it clearly being handmade. It bridges a gap – where does "fine art" end, and meticulous craft begin? How was the labor divided for this “serial-art” – one individual, or multiple people? What tools or technologies helped shape its materiality? Editor: I see what you mean about the labor – the title does hint at a larger organizational structure, with 'Book of Schemes' and 'Album #1.' How might that structure inform our understanding of its value, given that there are many works within it? Curator: Exactly! Its value shifts depending on if it’s considered individually or as part of a series, impacting our understanding of both intention and reception. The drawing transforms into something more potent – a segment of a larger material investigation, a module within a systematic design, echoing patterns of consumption and production. Editor: That's fascinating, reframing the art as a process and a social commentary instead of simply a design. I hadn’t considered that aspect. Curator: Precisely. By understanding the means of production and how labor intersects with this work, we reveal more meaningful dialogues with this intriguing geometric work. Editor: Thank you! This materialist perspective has truly broadened my appreciation for it.