The Hanging of New Hang 2005

Editor: This is Andrew Grassie’s “The Hanging of New Hang.” It's undated and depicts an installation view. I’m struck by its quiet, almost sterile atmosphere. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a commentary on the art world itself. The title "The Hanging of New Hang" suggests a performative act, a staging. What are the power dynamics at play when deciding what is worthy of display? Editor: So, it’s critiquing the curatorial process? Curator: Precisely. Consider the objects present: paintings, packing materials, even a toy car. Grassie invites us to question hierarchies. Who decides what gets seen and what remains hidden in the crates? Editor: That makes sense. I hadn’t thought about the role of the viewer in reinforcing those hierarchies. Curator: Exactly. It’s a self-aware piece that demands we acknowledge our own position within the art ecosystem. Editor: I’ll definitely look at art installations differently from now on. Curator: Indeed, let’s use art as a mirror to reflect upon the art world itself.